Happy ending

n.hopeful, joyfulwarm

What it means

A favorable conclusion that brings joy, relief, or satisfying resolution.

Reach for it when describing a welcome outcome, especially after uncertainty or difficulty

The reunion gave the long search a happy ending.

playful
happily-ever-after
fairy-tale permanence is being invoked knowingly
not when It promises lasting perfection and is unsuitable for a provisional improvement.
playful
storybook ending
the result feels unusually perfect or romantic
not when The phrase can imply implausibility and trivialize a complex real-life recovery.
everyday
satisfying conclusion
the ending resolves the central concern convincingly
not when A tragic conclusion can be artistically satisfying without being happy.
warm
silver lining
some good emerged from an otherwise difficult outcome
not when A silver lining leaves the larger loss in place, while a happy ending resolves it.
professional
favorable outcome
the result is beneficial and emotional color should stay restrained
not when It can describe a technical success without the relief or narrative closure of a happy ending.
professional
resolution
the conflict or uncertainty has been settled
not when Resolution can be neutral or disappointing and need not bring joy.

have a happy ending
The rescue did have a happy ending once both climbers reached shelter.
story's happy ending
The story's happy ending depends on reconciliation rather than luck.
hope for a happy ending
Neighbors continued to hope for a happy ending to the search.
unlikely happy ending
An unlikely happy ending arrived when the missing letters were returned.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.