# happy

/ˈhæpi/ (US) · /hˈæpi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/happy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. feeling good

adjective · CEFR A1

feeling or showing pleasure and enjoyment.

For teachers: experiencing or manifesting pleasure, contentment, or joy.

- The children were very happy when they saw the new playground.
- The research suggests that people who maintain strong social connections are generally more happy and resilient throughout their lives.

### 2. willing or satisfied

adjective · CEFR B1

being satisfied with a choice or willing to do something.

For teachers: content or satisfied with a particular arrangement; willing to perform a specific action without objection.

- I am happy to help you with your homework this evening.
- The client confirmed they were happy with the revised contract terms and were ready to sign the agreement immediately.

Usage: Often followed by a 'to' infinitive or the preposition 'with'.

### 3. greetings

adjective · CEFR A1

you use this to wish someone a good time on a special day.

For teachers: used in conventionalized formulas to express good wishes on the occasion of a festival or anniversary.

- We all sang Happy Birthday to him when the cake arrived.
- The department sent out a mass email wishing all staff a Happy New Year before the office closed for the holidays.

### 4. lucky or fortunate

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

happening in a lucky or good way.

For teachers: characterized by good fortune or being particularly apt for a situation.

- It was a happy accident that we met at the station.
- By a happy coincidence, the two researchers had been working on identical problems from different mathematical perspectives.

## Examples

- I am very happy to see you today.
- The children were happy to spend the entire afternoon playing in the park with their friends.
- While some define success through financial gain, others find they are most happy when their daily work aligns with their personal values and contributes to the community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.