paradise

noun

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par·a·dise | \ ˈper-ə-ˌdīs

, -ˌdīz, ˈpa-rə- \

Definition of paradise

1a : 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

Other Words from paradise Synonyms & Antonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Phrases Containing paradise Learn More About paradise

Other Words from paradise

paradisial \ ˌper-ə-ˈdi-sē-əl

, -zē- , ˌpa-rə- \ or less commonly paradisical \ ˌper-ə-ˈdi-si-kəl

, -zi- , ˌpa-rə- \ adjective

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.

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 Whatever its provenance, the semantic entanglement with fire has taken on a self-fulfilling air, a quirk of history that provides an expressive frame for the island’s reputation as a paradise that is also an inferno. — Jack Parlett, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2022 Maine’s coastline, crenellated with deep estuaries and bays fed by rivers mixing with cold ocean water that pumps nutrients up from below, may seem like a bivalve paradise. — Ellen Ruppel Shell, Scientific American, 1 May 2022 Where South Africa was a warning of the hell that America could become, Hungary was a vision of the paradise that could be had by taking America back. — New York Times, 30 Apr. 2022 There's beauty in the minuscule and mighty alike in Namibia — a photographer's paradise, even for amateurs. — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2022 And during the course of those months after production wraps, sometimes there is trouble and paradise and things can change. — Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 14 Mar. 2022 There’s no shortage of chic resorts to hole up in on St. Barth, but as of tomorrow, an even more exclusive accommodation will be available on the Caribbean paradise. — Alia Akkam, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2022 So much for Russia being a socially conservative paradise. — Anthony Constantini, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 For divers, Champagne Reef, with its explosions of colorful plants and fish, is a true paradise. — Joe Minihane, CNN, 24 Mar. 2022 See More

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.

History and Etymology for paradise

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.

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Last Updated

16 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Paradise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradise. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for paradise

paradise

noun

par·a·dise | \ ˈper-ə-ˌdīs

, -ˌdīz \

Kids Definition of paradise

1 : a place, state, or time of great beauty or happiness "A fair is a rat's paradise. Everybody spills food at a fair."— E. B. White, Charlotte's Web

2 : heaven sense 2

3 : the place where Adam and Eve first lived according to the Bible

Paradise geographical name

Par·a·dise | \ ˈper-ə-ˌdīs

, -ˌdīz, ˈpa-rə- \