karma

[ kahr-muh ]

noun

1. Hinduism, Buddhism. action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation: in Hinduism one of the means of reaching Brahman. Compare bhakti ( def 1 ), jnana.
2. Theosophy. the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person's deeds in the previous incarnation.
3. fate; destiny.

   Synonyms: predetermination, kismet, lot, predestination

4. the good or bad emanations felt to be generated by someone or something:

   Lets get out of here. This place has bad karma.

karma

/ ˈkɑːmə /

noun

1. Hinduism Buddhism the principle of retributive justice determining a person's state of life and the state of his reincarnations as the effect of his past deeds
2. theosophy the doctrine of inevitable consequence
3. destiny or fate

Derived Forms

• ˈkarmic, adjective

Other Words From

• karmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of karma¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Sanskrit kárman- “act, deed”

Word History and Origins

Origin of karma¹

C19: from Sanskrit: action, effect, from karoti he does

Example Sentences

Dame Jasvinder is a prominent human rights campaigner and the founder of the charity Karma Nirvana, which helps victims of honour-based abuse.

From BBC

McCausland and his dance partner Dianne Buswell closed Saturday's show with their couple's choice to Instant Karma!

From BBC

When the building last changed hands, it was bought in 2012 for £1.3m by Karma Assets Limited.

From BBC

UFC CEO Dana White, who appeared on stage, said Trump's victory was "karma" for the past few years.

From Salon

She hopes people will "feel differently" after her film Christmas Karma is released next year.

From BBC