paradise

1 of 2

noun

par·​a·​dise ˈper-ə-ˌdīs 

-ˌdīz, 

ˈpa-rə-

1

a

: eden sense 2

b

: an intermediate place or state where the souls of the righteous await resurrection and the final judgment

c

: heaven

2

: a place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight

paradisial

ˌper-ə-ˈdi-sē-əl 

-zē-, 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

or less commonly paradisical

ˌper-ə-ˈdi-si-kəl 

-zi-, 

ˌpa-rə-

paradisial

2 of 2

adjective

par·​a·​dis·​i·​al

-izē-

variants or less commonly paradisian

-ēən

or paradisic

-sik, 

-zik

or paradisical

-sə̇kəl 

-zə̇-

: paradisiacal

a paradisial country

a paradisial people

paradisial isles

Did you know?

Paradise ultimately comes from an Iranian word that the Greeks modified into paradeisos, meaning "enclosed park." In Hellenistic Greek, "paradeisos" was also used in the Septuagint - an early Greek translation of Jewish scriptures - in reference to the Garden of Eden. Early Christian writers also used "paradeisos" for both Heaven and for the place where righteous souls await resurrection. These senses of "paradeisos" entered into Late Latin as paradisus, and then into Anglo-French (and later, Middle English) as "paradis." Though originally used in theological senses in English, "paradise" has also come to refer to more earthly states and places of delight as well.

Synonyms of paradise

Noun

• utopia
• heaven
• nirvana

Examples of paradise in a Sentence

Noun

Their marriage was very happy at first, but now there's trouble in paradise.

a marsh that is a birdwatcher's paradise

This shop is an antique collecting paradise!

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One day, this paradise would burn. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

Trouble in co-parenting paradise? —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

It’s layered with notes of fresh citrus, soft florals, and warm vanilla that instantly transport you to a tropical island paradise. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

Club Med Cancun Cancun, Mexico Hailed as one of the best Club Med resorts in the world, Club Med Cancun is an all-inclusive paradise for large families. —Chelsea Adams, USA Today, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English paradis, paradise "the Garden of Eden, heaven," borrowed from Anglo-French paradis, borrowed from Late Latin paradīsus, borrowed from Greek parádeisos "enclosed park or pleasure ground" (Xenophon), "the Garden of Eden" (Septuagint), "the abode of the blessed, heaven" (New Testament), borrowed from an Iranian word (perhaps Median *paridaiza-) cognate with Avestan pairidaēza- "enclosure," nominal derivative of pairidaēz- "build a barrier around," from pairi- "before, around" (going back to Indo-European *per-i, whence also Sanskrit pári "around, about," Greek péri "around, in excess") + -daēza- "heap up, build" (occurring only with prefixes), going back to Indo-European *dhoi̯ǵh-éi̯e-, iterative derivative of *dhei̯ǵh- "knead, shape" — more at peri-, feign

Note: As an independent derivative of the verb, Avestan daēza- "heap, pile (of earth, stones)" has been compared with Greek teîchos (neuter s-stem) "wall, fortification," toîchos (masculine) "wall of a house or enclosure," Sanskrit dehaḥ "body," dehī́ "wall, embankment," Oscan feíhúss (accusative plural) "walls." For a Germanic derivative from the same verbal base with a different sense, see dough.

Adjective

paradise + -ial or -ian or -ic or -ical

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing paradise

• bird of paradise
• fool's paradise
• grains of paradise
• in paradise

Rhymes for paradise

• imprecise
• sacrifice
• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice

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Kids Definition

paradise

noun

par·​a·​dise ˈpar-ə-ˌdīs 

-ˌdīz

1

: eden sense 2

2

: heaven sense 2

3

: a place or state of great happiness

Etymology

Noun

Middle English paradis "the Garden of Eden," from early French paradis (same meaning), from Latin paradisus (same meaning), from Greek paradeisos "Garden of Eden," literally, "enclosed park"

Geographical Definition

Paradise

geographical name

Par·​a·​dise ˈper-ə-ˌdīs 

-ˌdīz, 

ˈpa-rə-

1

town in northern California north of Sacramento population 26,218

2

unincorporated population center just south of Las Vegas in southern Nevada population 223,167