happiness
HA-pee-nihs
Happiness (noun) means the state of feeling joyful, content, or satisfied with life. Example: “True happiness often comes from simple things like good friends and health.”
noun
1
The state of feeling joyful, content, or satisfied with life.
"True happiness often comes from simple things like good friends and health."
"Money can buy comfort, but it can't guarantee happiness."
"Her face glowed with happiness when she saw the whole family waiting at the airport."
How to use happiness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe feeling or state of being happy.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a life of happiness
pursue happiness
bring happiness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like happiness.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- happinesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
True _____ often comes from simple things like good friends and health.
Etymology
From happy plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for happiness
business
ugliness
laziness
holiness
craziness
weariness
readiness
emptiness
manliness
dizziness
tardiness
heaviness
See all rhymes for happiness →
Frequently asked questions
What does “happiness” mean?
The word “happiness” means the state of feeling joyful, content, or satisfied with life. In plain terms, the feeling or state of being happy.
How do you pronounce “happiness”?
“Happiness” is pronounced HA-pee-nihs (/ˈhæpinɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “happiness” in a sentence?
Here is “happiness” used in a sentence: “True happiness often comes from simple things like good friends and health.”
What is another word for “happiness”?
Words with a similar meaning to “happiness” include felicity, blessedness, bliss, high spirits, joy and joyfulness.
What is the opposite of “happiness”?
The opposite of “happiness” — its antonyms — is sadness.
What part of speech is “happiness”?
“Happiness” is a noun.
Is “happiness” a common word?
“Happiness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between happiness and joy?
Happiness is a broader, steadier state of feeling content and satisfied with life over time. Joy is a sharper, more intense burst of delight, usually tied to a specific moment or event. You can lead a happy life punctuated by moments of joy; the two feelings complement rather than replace each other.
Can money buy happiness?
Research suggests money helps up to a point. Having enough to cover your needs and reduce stress clearly supports happiness, but beyond a comfortable level, extra wealth adds little. Relationships, health, purpose, and how you spend money — especially on experiences and other people — matter far more than income alone.
Can happiness be measured?
To an extent, yes. Researchers measure happiness through self-report surveys, well-being scales, and national indices that track life satisfaction. These rely on people rating their own feelings, so they are subjective, but gathered at scale the data still reveals useful patterns about what makes populations more or less happy.
What is the opposite of happiness?
The main opposites are 'sadness,' 'unhappiness,' and 'misery,' each describing a lack of contentment or joy. Related states include 'sorrow,' 'gloom,' and 'despair' for deeper distress. Which word fits best depends on intensity, ranging from mild dissatisfaction to profound and lasting unhappiness.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include happiness:
