happily ever after UK /ˈhæpɪli ˌɛvəɹ‿ˈɑːftə/US /ˈhæpəli ˌɛvəɹ‿ˈæftəɹ/noun 2adverb 1forms 2 noun2 •A happy period of time which is imagined never to end; specifically, the state of happiness in which one or more people (typically a loving couple) dwell for the rest of his, her, their, etc., lives.In the real world, there are no happily ever afters, no storybook endings. We must always fight intolerance and fanaticism. — 1994 •A story, or a conclusion to a story, in which all the loose ends of the plot are tied up, and all the main characters are left in a state of contentment or happiness.But this is 1979: marriage once again is on a lot of minds and romantic comedies, complete with tradition and happily-ever-afters, are back in style. — 1979 adverb1 •Chiefly preceded by he, she, they, etc., lived: often used as a formulaic ending in fairy tales, stories for children, and similar works: in a state of happiness for the rest of his, her, their, etc., lives.And they lived happily ever after. formshappily ever afters · happily-ever-afters