kumbaya

American

[koom-bahy-yah, koom-] / ˌkʊm baɪˈyɑ, ˌkum- /

noun

(often used ironically) a belief in peace, harmony, goodwill, or naive idealism.

(often used ironically) characterized by or expressing a belief in peace, harmony, goodwill, or naive idealism.

(used to express or suggest peace, harmony, goodwill, or naive idealism, often ironically.)

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I just want to have a kumbaya with everybody right now because there’s so much sadness with this disease.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

These episodes don’t necessarily end with participants finding common ground in a kumbaya moment.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2025

"We're nowhere near the kind of kumbaya moment that was projected."

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

“I’m not telling you that everybody’s going to come kumbaya on the table,” Kerry said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023

I say this with no trace of a kumbaya.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023