Word Study! (Don't worry, it'll be fun!)

Now, let's look at a word.

Happy.

hap·py

[hap-ee] 

adjective, hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.

1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person.

2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.

3. favored by fortune; fortunate or lucky: a happy, fruitful land.

4. apt or felicitous, as actions, utterances, or ideas.

5. obsessed by or quick to use the item indicated (usually used in combination): a trigger-happy gangster. 

(Source: Dictionary.com)

Now, let's think about other ways of saying "happy."

Delighted.
Pleased.
Glad.
Joyous.
Merry.
Elated.
Thrilled.

Delighted gives you the impression that someone is surprised by good news. [She was delighted when she heard he was throwing a party.]


Pleased gives you the impression that someone is mildly happy, more than content but less than delighted. [Yes, I'm very pleased she could come.]


Glad gives you the impression that someone is relieved about something. [I'm so glad it all worked out.]


Joyous is used more often for an occasion or event than a person. [It was a joyous day and all the birds were singing to the pervading sunshine.]


Merry is a more lighthearted kind of happy. [He was predisposed to be merry.]


Elated gives the impression of complete and utter happiness. [I was elated when I heard you were going to be married]


Thrilled gives you the impression of a more intense, moving happiness. [She looked thrilled when you said she could come along.]


Happiness comes in all shapes and sizes, so you can stay happy no matter what the occasion!