What does "felicity" mean?
Happiness; (countable) an instance of this.
Felicity
/fɪˈlɪsɪti/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Happiness; (countable) an instance of this.
- Grammar: felicity is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: happiness, admissibility, affluence, an ear for.
- Useful contrasts: awkwardness, inaccuracy, inappropriateness.
- Usage evidence: Felicity was born an adorable kitten and grew up to be an adorable cat.
How to use "felicity"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "felicity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "felicity" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "felicity" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "felicity" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "felicity" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "happiness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "felicity", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Happiness; (countable) an instance of this. uncountable
"Whan this ſayd monument diſcouered was / Suche a ſuauite and fragrant odoure / Aſcended from the corps by ſingular grace / Paſſyng all worldly ſwetnes and ſauour / That all there present that day and hour / Suppoſed they had ben / in the felicite / Of erthely paradiſe / without ambiguite."
- 2 pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression) wordnet
- 3 An apt and pleasing style in speech, writing, etc.; (countable) an apt and pleasing choice of words. uncountable
- 4 state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy wordnet
- 5 Good luck; success; (countable) An instance of unexpected good luck; a stroke of luck; also, a lucky characteristic. rare, uncountable
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Reproduction of a sign with fidelity. uncountable
"The quotation was rendered with felicity."
- 7 Something that is either a source of happiness or particularly apt. countable
"[…] to weare our ſelues & neuer reſt, Untill we reach the ripeſt fruites of all, That perfect bliſſe and ſole felicitie, The ſweet fruition of an earthly crowne."
- 8 Period (as opposed to lifetime) utility. uncountable
"In equation (19.24) U#95;C(#92;cdot) is the marginal felicity of consumption[.]"
Proper Noun
- 1 A female given name from English.
"Fliss had them. Felicity Benson, Happiness Benson. Except she's not very happy at the moment, not with me."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Felicity was born an adorable kitten and grew up to be an adorable cat."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "felicity"?
Common synonyms include: happiness, admissibility, affluence, an ear for, an eye for, applicability.
How do you use "felicity" in a sentence?
Felicity was born an adorable kitten and grew up to be an adorable cat.
How do you pronounce "felicity"?
Pronounced /fɪˈlɪsɪti/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English felicite (“bliss, happiness, joy; delight, pleasure; a source of happiness; good fortune; prosperity; well-being; of a planet: in an influential position”) [and other forms], borrowed from Old French felicité (modern French félicité (“bliss, happiness; felicity”)), from Latin fēlīcitātem, the accusative singular of fēlīcitās (“fertility, fruitfulness; happiness, felicity; good fortune; success”), from fēlīx (“happy; blessed, fortunate, lucky; fertile, fruitful; prosperous; auspicious, favourable”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (“to nurse, suckle”)) + -itās (a variant of -tās (suffix forming nouns indicating a state of being)).
Etymology 2
From the noun felicity, and also the English form of Latin Felicitas, a name borne by early martyrs.