How to pronounce happily
Say it like HAP-uh-lee. Happily has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce happily. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAP
- uh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Happily pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of happily
American and British speakers say happily in essentially the same way: /ˈhæpəli/ in the US and /ˈhæpɪli/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAP-ih-lee.
What does happily mean?
- in a joyous manner“they shouted happily”
- in an unexpectedly lucky way“happily he was not injured”
Where does happily come from?
From Middle English happily, happyly, happyliche, happylyche, equivalent to happy + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying happily
How do you pronounce happily?
Say HAP-uh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈhæpəli/. In British English it is /ˈhæpɪli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in happily?
Happily has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAP). Broken into parts: HAP · uh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say happily the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhæpəli/ and the British form is /ˈhæpɪli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.