happier

Happier is the comparative form of the adjective happy. It describes a greater degree of happiness or well-being relative to another person, thing, or situation. It appears in sentences such as “She is happier today” or “People who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who do not.”

Etymology: The word happy comes from Old English hap, meaning luck or fortune, with the sense extending to a positive emotional state. The suffix -ier forms the comparative degree and is used with adjectives ending in -y to indicate a higher degree (happier).

Usage notes: Happier can modify a wide range of subjects and is commonly followed by than to establish a comparison, as in “happier than ever.” It is not a synonym for ecstatic or elated, which imply more intense emotions, but rather a milder, more general sense of well-being.

In psychology and sociology, happiness and subjective well-being are studied with measures like life satisfaction scales and affect measures. Research on happier societies often considers factors such as social relationships, health, income, and work-life balance, noting that happiness levels tend to vary with life circumstances and adapt over time.

See also: happiness, joy, well-being, contentment.