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Definition of happiness noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

happiness

noun
 
/ˈhæpinəs/
 
/ˈhæpinəs/
[uncountable]
Word Family
  • happy adjective (≠ unhappy)
  • happily adverb (≠ unhappily)
  • happiness noun (≠ unhappiness)
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  1. the state of feeling or showing pleasure
    • to find true happiness
    • Fame did not bring her happiness.
    • the pursuit of happiness
    • Her eyes shone with happiness.
    • Their grandchildren are a constant source of happiness.
    Topics Feelingsb1
  2. happiness (about/with something) the state of being satisfied that something is good or right synonym satisfaction
    • The meeting expressed happiness about the progress made.
Synonyms satisfactionsatisfactionhappiness pride contentment fulfilmentThese are all words for the good feeling that you have when you are happy or when you have achieved something.satisfaction the good feeling that you have when you have achieved something or when something that you wanted to happen does happen:
  • He derived great satisfaction from knowing that his son was happy.
happiness the good feeling that you have when you are happy:
  • Money can’t buy you happiness.
pride a feeling of being pleased or satisfied that you get when you or people who are connected with you have done something well or own something that other people admire:
  • The sight of her son graduating filled her with pride.
contentment (rather formal) a feeling of being happy or satisfied with what you have:
  • They found contentment in living a simple life.
fulfilment a feeling of being happy or satisfied with what you do or have done:
  • her search for personal fulfilment
satisfaction, happiness, contentment or fulfilment?You can feel satisfaction at achieving almost anything, small or large; you feel fulfilment when you do something useful and enjoyable with your life. Happiness is the feeling you have when things give you pleasure and can be quite a lively feeling; contentment is a quieter feeling that you get when you have learned to find pleasure in things.Patterns
  • satisfaction/​happiness/​pride/​contentment/​fulfilment in something
  • real satisfaction/​happiness/​pride/​contentment/​fulfilment
  • true satisfaction/​happiness/​contentment/​fulfilment
  • great satisfaction/​happiness/​pride
  • quiet satisfaction/​pride/​contentment
  • to feel satisfaction/​happiness/​pride/​contentment
  • to bring somebody satisfaction/​happiness/​pride/​contentment/​fulfilment
  • to find satisfaction/​happiness/​contentment/​fulfilment
See happiness in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
trait
noun
 
 
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