happily

adverb

1. 1

   In a happy or cheerful manner; with happiness.

   This time next month I’ll be happily fishing at the beach.

   And thus I have given the first part of a life of fortune and adventure, a life of Providence's chequer-work, and of a variety which the world will seldom be able to shew the like of: beginning foolishly, but closing much more happily than any part of it ever gave me leave so much as to hope for.

   Train operating companies get plenty of column inches in the tabloids, usually for negative reasons. Happily, Southeastern is worthy of praise for having made The Sun for something positive.

2. 2

   By good chance; fortunately, successfully.

   Watt wore, on his feet, a boot, brown in colour, and a shoe, happily of a brownish colour also.

3. 3

   With good will; in all happiness; willingly.

   I will happily help you look for your lost wallet.

4. 4

   archaicBy chance; perhaps.

   And who knoweth whether a thousand yeares hence a third opinion will rise, which happily shall overthrow these two precedents?

Forms

comparative

more happily, happilier

superlative

most happily, happiliest