happy-go-lucky

adjective

ˌha-pē-gō-ˈlə-kē How to pronounce happy-go-lucky (audio)
Definition of happy-go-luckynext
1
as in unaffected
having a relaxed, casual manner he is completely happy-go-lucky on fishing trips—if he catches something, fine; if he doesn't, that's fine, too

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonchalant
having or showing freedom from worries or trouble went on her happy-go-lucky way, totally unaware that she was strewing litter behind her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of happy-go-lucky Recently, after a bad defeat, my happy-go-lucky son, Peter, ambled over to another player, who was stone-faced with frustration and shame. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026 Plant the color that best defines you, whether that's white for a happy-go-lucky attitude or purple for a sweet disposition. — Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026 The universe is greeting you with joy, Libra, as the Moon and Pluto skip hand-in-hand through your happy-go-lucky 5th house. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 Harry with a woman who was easy and happy-go-lucky? — Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for happy-go-lucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy-go-lucky
  1. unaffected
  2. nonchalant
  3. mellow
  4. carefree
  5. casual
  6. lighthearted
  7. easygoing
  8. unconcerned
Adjective
  • Researchers have long wondered why some people develop these reactions while others seem to skate by unaffected.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Today, Putin follows essentially the same model, seeking to erode allies’ confidence in NATO’s Article 5 by relying on tactics that fall below the threshold of a conventional warfare and leave unaffected members hesitant to respond.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • Off-duty models stepped out in nonchalant style, pairing the jeans with basic tops and simple belts, while fashion show attendees elevated the laidback fits with button-down denim shirts, neckties and colorful knitwear.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Just a rugged man in a stream There is, of course, nothing nonchalant about the exchange.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • The lower-register instruments in this track are also fairly mellow in the recording, and the subtle bass in the headphones almost pushes them into obscurity, further piling everything into the cacophonous middle.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Warm yet uplifting with a strong hit of black tea, Still Bloom's cardomom, sesame, and orange top notes hit like a shot of caffeine before dissipating into a mellow, comforting underbelly of musk, rose and cedarwood, to name a few.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of mellow
Adjective
  • Its soft layers and gentle waves add natural body and movement that create a carefree look with plenty of texture.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The song celebrates the beauty of one’s native land and the innocence and carefree spirit of childhood.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of carefree
Adjective
  • The casual setup and price points at Tiger’s Den swing the sushi pendulum away from ultra luxury and back toward its origins in Japan as a quick, working-class meal.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The trick is to break up the jacket-and-skirt combo and pair each with more casual pieces that take the edge off its classic finish.
    — Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • Glasper is known for carrying a lighthearted tone to his performances, and this night was full of jokes and stories.
    — William E. Ketchum III, VIBE.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • That song was almost a lighthearted jab, but also in a very real way.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of lighthearted
Adjective
  • Zsela, flirty and easygoing, revels in the futility of others’ attempts to encapsulate her.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Libra moon is activating your curious third house of communication, making your exchanges charming and easygoing.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of easygoing
Adjective
  • Imagery, in its poetic sense, is unbridled by the laws of the real, unconcerned with replication, devoted instead to the rolling expanse of attempt.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Unmoored, often ill with tuberculosis, and in and out of hospitals, Leigh valiantly continued to work, seemingly unconcerned about her precarious health.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of unconcerned

Browse Nearby Words

happy campers
happy-go-lucky
happy hunting ground
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Cite this Entry

“Happy-go-lucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy-go-lucky. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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