ENGLISH
REFERENCE

larry

adj.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɫɛɹi// lar·ry Archaic Dialect Slang

adj. extremely happy or successful. You usually hear this in the phrase 'happy as Larry' to describe someone who is very satisfied with life.

adj. denoting a state of extreme happiness or contentment. Primarily used within the idiomatic simile 'as happy as Larry'; informal and predominantly British or Australasian in usage.


SIMPLE

He just got a promotion and is happy as Larry.

CONTEXTUAL

Give him a good book and a quiet corner, and he is as happy as Larry for the rest of the afternoon.

COMPLEX

Despite the modest surroundings and the lack of modern amenities, the children seemed as happy as Larry, finding endless amusement in the natural landscape surrounding the cottage.

Origin

Blend of Louis + Harry.

Usage

Almost exclusively used in the fixed idiomatic expression 'as happy as Larry'.

Pitfall

He is very Larry todayHe is as happy as LarryThe word is not used as a standalone adjective to mean happy; it must appear within the full idiomatic phrase.

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