happyadjective
Happy describes a person who feels pleasure because things are as they want them, and also a thing or a time that gives that feeling.
feeling pleasedfeeling pleased and satisfied, usually because something good has happened or because your life is going well
- Sara was happy to be home again. (happy to do something)
- I'm so happy for you! (happy for someone: pleased about their good news)
- Are you happy about the new plan? (happy about something)
- The children looked happy and healthy.
Collocations
Synonyms glad; pleased; cheerful (cheerful means showing happiness in your manner)
Antonyms unhappy; sad
of a time or thinggiving or showing pleasure; full of pleasure
- They had a long and happy marriage.
- The story has a happy ending.
- She gave me a happy smile.
- I have many happy memories of that house.
Collocations
Antonyms unhappy; sad
satisfied or willingsatisfied with something and not wanting to change it, or willing to do something
- I'm happy with the way the room looks. (happy with something: satisfied)
- I'd be happy to help you move. (happy to do something: willing; a polite offer)
- Are you happy for me to send the letter today? (happy for someone to do something: willing to allow it)
- The manager wasn't happy about the delay. (not happy about: annoyed)
Collocations
Synonyms satisfied; content (content is used only after a verb); willing (for the offer: happy to help)
in greetingsused before the name of a special day or event to wish someone pleasure on it
A fixed greeting formula, always right before the name of the day or occasion: it does not describe how happy someone feels, and it is not used in any other position.
attributive only [attrib] not gradable [not gradable]
Collocations
phrase Happy birthday, Happy New Year, Happy anniversary, Happy Holidays
Word family
- happily
- happiness
- unhappy
Choosing between happy · glad · pleased
Happy is the general word, for the feeling and for people, times, and things: a happy child, a happy day. Glad is used almost always after a verb (a few fixed phrases such as glad tidings are attributive), and pleased usually is too; both are usually about one particular thing: I'm glad you came; she was pleased with the result. Glad is a little warmer and pleased a little cooler and more formal, and neither ordinarily describes a time or an event.
Usage
In replies and offers, happy to often means willing rather than pleased: I'd be happy to help is a polite offer, and I'm happy to wait means that waiting is fine with you. Happy to help is also a friendly closing line in messages.
Common mistakes
Happy takes with or about before a thing; of is not used.