paradise

noun

par·​a·​dise ˈper-ə-ˌdīs How to pronounce paradise (audio)
-ˌdīz,
ˈpa-rə-
1
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 How to pronounce paradise (audio)
-zē-
ˌpa-rə-
adjective
or less commonly paradisical
ˌper-ə-ˈdi-si-kəl How to pronounce paradise (audio)
-zi-,
ˌpa-rə-

Examples of paradise in a Sentence

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 Read More: 30 Best Things to Do in Madrid, From Palace Tours to Flamenco Shows Best Shopping Gran Via Gran Via is a nearly mile-long retail paradise where shoppers can expect to find a mix of luxury boutiques and mainstream brands nestled among some of the city's architectural gems. Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2023 Fruity flavors like strawberry, watermelon, and pineapple can transport you to a tropical paradise with each bite. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 The set of the ABC morning show was transformed into a tropical paradise for the occasion, complete with palm trees and a blue sky backdrop. Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023 One of Cusco’s most famed attractions is the Inca Trail, which is a 4-day journey through what was once known as the Inca Empire. 8 Bergen, Norway Bergen is an adventurer’s paradise with seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy activities like kayaking, river rafting, and climbing. Nina Derwin, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023 Yes, this is a shopper’s paradise, thanks in part to the long stretch of more than 120 retailers, including many outlet stores. Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 As the sun set and the crowd applauded, Mr. Buffett had an epiphany that this tropical paradise, with its scoundrels, literary lights, smugglers and fishermen, would be home as well as endlessly fertile ground for songwriting material. Glenn Rifkin, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023 The two posed together on a boulder and then later, Delilah posed solo as the preteen took in her trip to paradise. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023 Much of what makes Hawaii feel like paradise, after all, is a lushness that—even among the infrastructure of mass tourism—reflects a culture of respectful harmony, first of all with nature. Time, 15 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paradise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of paradise was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Paradise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradise. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

paradise

noun
par·​a·​dise ˈpar-ə-ˌdīs How to pronounce paradise (audio)
-ˌdīz
1
2
3
: a place or state of great happiness
Etymology

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 How to pronounce Paradise (audio)
-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

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