happiness

noun

hap·​pi·​ness ˈha-pē-nəs How to pronounce happiness (audio)
1
a
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy
b
: a pleasurable or satisfying experience
I wish you every happiness in life.
I had the happiness of seeing youW. S. Gilbert
2
: felicity, aptness
a striking happiness of expression
3
obsolete : good fortune : prosperity
all happiness bechance to theeWilliam Shakespeare

Examples of happiness in a Sentence

They made a toast to long life and happiness. her happiness was complete when she got her very own house
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That's another indication that the Chinese state is more interested in national power than the happiness of its people. Vincent Ni, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 This can involve extreme suffering or abjection; happiness is hardly the point. Nicole Flattery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing maximum happiness. Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025 Working with a script by Neil Simon, May turns its tightly wound comedy into an uproarious, bitterly ironic vision of self-liberation and the pursuit of happiness. Jane Bua, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for happiness

Word History

Etymology

see happy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of happiness was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Happiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

happiness

noun
hap·​pi·​ness ˈhap-i-nəs How to pronounce happiness (audio)
: a state of well-being and contentment : joy

More from Merriam-Webster on happiness

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