What does "happiness" mean?

1. (the feeling of joy) the feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life. 2. (well-being or prosperity) a state of doing well and being successful in life. 3. (graceful expression) a lucky or clever way of saying something.

happiness — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01the feeling of joy

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun

n. the feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life.

n. the emotional state of being happy; a sense of well-being, contentment, or joy.

“The children's faces were full of happiness when they saw the new puppy.”

“True happiness often stems from a sense of purpose and the quality of one's social connections rather than material wealth alone.”

Synonyms

joy contentment pleasure

Antonyms

sadness misery unhappiness

02well-being or prosperity

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic

n. a state of doing well and being successful in life.

n. a state of thriving, prosperity, or general well-being.

“The king worked hard to ensure the happiness and safety of his people.”

“In older texts, the term often refers to the general happiness of the commonwealth, meaning its collective prosperity and health.”

Usage

In modern English, this sense is almost entirely replaced by 'well-being' or 'prosperity'.

Synonyms

prosperity welfare

Antonyms

hardship

03graceful expression

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary · Archaic

n. a lucky or clever way of saying something.

n. a particularly apt or pleasing quality in expression or style.

“The poet was famous for the happiness of his descriptions.”

“The critic praised the happiness of the author's prose, noting how effortlessly the metaphors captured the mood of the era.”

Teaching tip

This sense is very rare today; modern speakers would use 'felicity' or 'aptness' to describe well-chosen words.

Synonyms

aptnessfelicity

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “happiness” in context.

Verb

01. bring happiness

“The birth of their first grandchild brought great happiness to the whole family.”

verb + noun

02. find happiness

“After moving to the countryside, she finally managed to find happiness.”

verb + noun

03. pursue happiness

“Everyone should have the right to pursue happiness in their own way.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. pure happiness

“The children's faces were full of pure happiness when they saw the snow.”

adj + noun

05. true happiness

“He realized that true happiness comes from helping others, not from money.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. sense of happiness

“A sudden sense of happiness washed over him as he walked through the park.”

noun + of + noun

07. source of happiness

“Her garden is her main source of happiness during the summer months.”

noun + of + noun

Preposition

08. tears of happiness

“She cried tears of happiness when she passed her final exam.”

noun + of + noun

“Studies consistently show that our own happiness is linked with the happiness of those with whom we are connected.”

The New York Times 19 Aug 2026

“Research conducted by her and others indicates that identifying, nurturing, and savoring these small instances of happiness can significantly boost well-being, resilience, and resourcefulness.”

The New York Times 27 Jun 2025

“Researchers in behavioral science have dedicated considerable effort to understanding the factors that contribute to our happiness (as well as those that detract from it).”

The New York Times 27 Oct 2023