paradise

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noun par·a·dise \ ˈper-ə-ˌdīs , -ˌdīz , ˈpa-rə- \

Definition of paradise

1 a :eden 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

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paradisial

play \ˌper-ə-ˈdi-sē-əl, -zē-, ˌpa-rə-\ or less commonly paradisical play \ˌper-ə-ˈdi-si-kəl, -zi-, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective

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See paradise defined for kids

paradise was our Word of the Day on 08/05/2011. Hear the podcast!

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 of paradise from the Web

Though science fiction has brought us dozens of desert planets, tropical paradise moons, and city worlds, there are almost no examples of alien planets with a diversity of ecosystems and geological features like Earth.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Four book series that are shaping the future of science fiction on television," 19 Aug. 2017
Have a seat on the deck overlooking Bayou St. John and slip into paradise.

— brian kelly | bkelly@al.com, AL.com, "The Alabama beach combo you have to try: Burger and a bushwacker," 4 Aug. 2017
To a bee, the riot of flowers is a pollinator’s paradise.

— jordan c. axelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A pollinator's paradise: Delavan garden showcases how everyone can bee friendly," 31 July 2017
The entire staffs of Mother Jones, The New Republic, and Rolling Stone are simply aching to live in a social-justice, diversity-first paradise.

— kyle smith, National Review, "Canada: The Left’s Mirage," 28 July 2017
Get ready for some rock-paper-scissors in paradise.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Riddle of the Week #32: Adam & Eve Play Rock-Paper-Scissors," 14 July 2017
The gap between rich and poor countries globally is much wider than the gap between the richest and less-rich countries within Europe, and most poor countries are not Pacific-island paradises.

— The Economist, "If borders were openA world of free movement would be $78 trillion richer," 13 July 2017
Until recently, the man who assembled this virtual paradise for style lovers held a dim view of the fashion world.

— steven kurutz, New York Times, "A Google Engineer Learns the Fashion Code," 10 July 2017
But now, fans are wondering if there could be trouble in paradise, thanks to a few cryptic tweets posted by both celebrities.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Fans Think Cameron Dallas and Hailey Baldwin Are Fighting," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paradise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of paradise

Middle English paradis, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin paradisus, from Greek paradeisos, literally, enclosed park, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan pairi-daēza- enclosure; akin to Greek peri around and to Greek teichos wall — more at peri-, dough

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

paradise Synonyms

Synonyms

Camelot, Cockaigne, Eden, Elysium, empyrean, fantasyland, heaven, lotusland, never-never land, New Jerusalem, nirvana, promised land, Shangri-la, utopia, Zion (also Sion), Garden of Eden

Antonyms

anti-utopia, dystopia, hell

Related Words

arcadia; dreamland, dreamworld, fairyland, wonderland; blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, euphoria, gladness, joy

Near Antonyms

fool's paradise

Paradise

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geographical name Par·a·dise \ ˈpa-rə-ˌdīs , -ˌdīz \

Definition of Paradise

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

PARADISE Defined for English Language Learners

paradise

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noun

Definition of paradise for English Language Learners

: a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect
: a place that is perfect for a particular activity or for a person who enjoys that activity
: a state of complete happiness