paradise

play

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

Definition of paradise

1a : eden 2b : an intermediate place or state where the souls of the righteous await resurrection and the final judgmentc : heaven
2 : a place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight

paradisial

play \ˌper-ə-ˈdi-sē-əl, -zē-, ˌpa-rə-\ or less commonly

paradisical

play \ˌper-ə-ˈdi-si-kəl, -zi-, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective

See paradise defined for English-language learners

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

American travelers have often considered Maui in the past for its convenience, and its ability to offer stress-free relaxation and industrialized hospitality in the middle of paradise.

— carrie goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Just Back From...Maui, Hawaii", 20 June 2017
More: Louisville is no staycation paradise and that's fine 15 best U.S. cities for a long summer weekend: 1.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "You don't have to go far to find the 'best city for a long vacation'", 20 June 2017
But now, fans think that there might be trouble in paradise, due to a few cryptic tweets that were posted over the past few days.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Fans Think Jack Johnson and Claudia Tihan Are Fighting", 19 June 2017
Roy has imagined an inverse of the Garden of Eden—a paradise whose defining feature, rather than innocence, is experience and endurance.

— parul seghal, The Atlantic, "Arundhati Roy’s Fascinating Mess", 17 June 2017
The culinary and musical event includes an outdoor brunch with dishes like coconut milk and lime ceviche served with taro chips; tropical shrimp kebab; cheeseburger in paradise; and chicken fafa (chicken thighs).

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Foodies, savor your way through Little Italy's food festa", 7 June 2017
Leroy and Sally Hall found their slice of paradise on a steep parcel in the Sierra foothills.

— debbie arrington, sacbee.com, "How to live (peacefully) with deer in a mountain oasis", 2 June 2017
For most of us, just another day in paradise with very light winds and highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

— david streit, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: June gets off to a delightfully dry start; storm chances return Sunday", 1 June 2017
In the heart of the former shoppers’ paradise — the five-block stretch running from Christopher Street to Bank Street — more than a dozen retail spaces sit empty.

— steven kurutz, New York Times, "Bleecker Street’s Swerve From Luxe Shops to Vacant Stores", 31 May 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!

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Paradise

play

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

play

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

PARADISE Defined for Kids

paradise

play

noun par·a·dise \ˈper-ə-ˌdīs, -ˌdīz\

Definition of paradise for Students

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 2
3 : the place where Adam and Eve first lived according to the Bible