nirvana

noun

nir·​va·​na nir-ˈvä-nə 

(ˌ)nər-

often capitalized

1

: the final beatitude (see beatitude sense 1a) that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness

2

a

: a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality

alcohol-induced nirvana

also : bliss, heaven

The resort is a skier's and snowboarder's nirvana.

b

: a goal hoped for but apparently unattainable : dream

… that nirvana of the … weatherman: A foolproof system of forecasting.

—Newsweek

nirvanic

nir-ˈvä-nik 

-ˈva-

(ˌ)nər-

adjective

Synonyms

• oblivion
• ignorance
• blindness
• forgetfulness

Examples of nirvana in a Sentence

the spa experience was a week of pure nirvana

the popular fantasy that life as a beachcomber in the South Pacific would be never-ending nirvana

Recent Examples on the Web

In the film, after switching bodies for a day, Tess and Anna reach a nirvana of empathy and understanding. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025

This can be done through a more seamless, predictive human-machine interface while fully engaging the five senses that will foster a nirvana of personal immersion. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025

Active travelers will find abundant opportunities for rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking, while those craving a more leisurely getaway can soak up sun-and-sand nirvana at any of Krabi’s gorgeous beaches. —Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 12 Dec. 2024

This Broadway Center Stage mounting is a tightly packed clown car, speeding to musical-theater nirvana. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 15 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit nirvāṇa, literally, act of extinguishing, from nis- out + vāti it blows — more at wind entry 1

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nirvana

• asana
• chicana
• iguana
• liana
• madonna
• maulana
• purana
• sadhana
• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna