adv
happily
HAP-ih-lee
adv
1
In a happy, contented, or cheerful way.
"The children played happily in the garden all afternoon."
2
Fortunately; luckily.
"Happily, the storm passed before the wedding began."
How to Use Happily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "in a happy way" or, at the start of a sentence, "luckily."
Common mistake
When "happily" opens a sentence ("Happily, we made the flight"), it usually means "fortunately," not "in a happy manner."
Word Forms
more happily comparative, happilier comparative, most happily superlative, happiliest superlative
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The children played _____ in the garden all afternoon.
Etymology
From happy plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.