happy

happy
hap‧py S1 W1 /ˈhæpi/ adjective (comparative happier, superlative happiest)
1. having feelings of pleasure, for example because something good has happened to you or you are very satisfied with your life
   OPP  sad:
    It’s a lovely house and we’ve been very happy here.
    I’ve never felt happier in my life.
    He was a happy child who rarely cried.
    the happy faces of the children
    I loved her and thought I could make her happy.
    happy to do something
    John will be so happy to see you.
    happy (that)
    I’m happy that everything worked out well in the end.
    be/feel happy for somebody
    What a wonderful opportunity! I’m so happy for you.
    happy in your work/job etc
    happy to be doing something
    We’re very happy to be taking part.
    the happy couple (=a couple that have just got married or will soon get married)
2. [usually before noun] a happy time, relationship, event etc is a good one that makes you feel happy:
    This has been the happiest day of my life.
    They had a very happy marriage.
    I have lots of happy memories of the place.
    The story has a happy ending, however.
    When’s the happy event (=the birth of your child)?
3. [not before noun] satisfied or not worried
    happy with
    On the whole, I’m happy with the way I look.
    People living nearby are not happy with the decision.
    happy about
    Mom wasn’t happy about Tess going off travelling on her own.
    I pretended to agree with her, just to keep her happy.
    happy doing something
    I’m quite happy doing what I’m doing.
4. be happy to do something to be very willing to do something, especially to help someone:
    Our team will be happy to help.
    I’d be happy to take you in my car.
5. Happy Birthday/New Year/Christmas etc used to wish someone happiness on a special occasion:
    Happy Birthday, Michael!
    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
6. many happy returns used to wish someone happiness on their birthday
7. [only before noun] fortunate or lucky:
    By a happy coincidence, James was also in town that weekend.
    I’m in the happy position of not having to work.
8. a happy medium (between something and something) a way of doing something that is not extreme but is somewhere between two possible choices:
    I always tried to strike a happy medium between having a home that looked like a bomb had hit it and becoming obsessively tidy.
9. [only before noun] formal suitable:
    His choice of words was not a very happy one.
10. a/your happy place if you are in or go to your happy place, you imagine you are in a place that makes you feel calm and happy, because it helps you stop thinking about a bad situation
11. not a happy bunny especially British English informal, not a happy camper American English informal not pleased with a situation
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ happy: Are you happy in your new job? | The film has a happy ending. | a happy childhood
   ▪ cheerful looking happy: a cheerful face/expression | The room looked bright and cheerful (=it made you feel good). | He seems a lot more cheerful today.
   ▪ be in a good mood to feel happy and relaxed: It was the day before the vacation and everyone was in a good mood.
   ▪ contented written feeling happy with your life, job, situation etc: He was contented with his job as a cycle mechanic. | She sat down with a contented expression on her face.
   ▪ pleased/glad [not before noun] happy because something good has happened: I’m pleased I passed my exam. | He was glad to see someone that he knew.
■ very happy
   ▪ delighted [not before noun] very happy because something good has happened: The doctors say they are delighted with her progress.
   ▪ thrilled [not before noun] very happy and excited about something: He’s thrilled at the idea of going to Disneyworld.
   ▪ overjoyed [not before noun] very happy because you have heard some good news: She was overjoyed when she found out that her son was safe.
   ▪ be on top of the world (also be over the moon British English) [not before noun] informal to be very happy: I was over the moon when I won the championship.
   ▪ ecstatic extremely happy: The crowd were ecstatic, and cheered wildly. | ecstatic fans
   ▪ blissful a blissful time is one in which you feel extremely happy: We stayed on the islands for two blissful weeks. | It sounded blissful – sea, sun, and good food.