paradise

¹

[ par-uh-dahys, -dahyz ]

noun

1. heaven, as the final abode of the righteous.
2. an intermediate place for the departed souls of the righteous awaiting resurrection.
3. (often initial capital letter) Eden ¹( def 1 ).
4. a place of extreme beauty, delight, or happiness.
5. a state of supreme happiness; bliss.
6. Architecture.
   1. parvis.
   2. an enclosure beside a church, as an atrium or cloister.
7. (initial capital letter, italics) Italian Pa·ra·di·so [pah-, r, ah-, dee, -zaw]. the third and concluding part of Dante's Divine Comedy, depicting heaven, through which he is guided by Beatrice. Compare inferno ( def 3 ), purgatory ( def 2 ).

Paradise

²

[ par-uh-dahys, -dahyz ]

noun

1. a town in N California.

paradise

/ ˈpærəˌdaɪs /

noun

1. heaven as the ultimate abode or state of the righteous
2. Islam the sensual garden of delights that the Koran promises the faithful after death
3. Also calledlimbo (according to some theologians) the intermediate abode or state of the just prior to the Resurrection of Jesus, as in Luke 23:43
4. the place or state of happiness enjoyed by Adam before the first sin; the Garden of Eden
5. any place or condition that fulfils all one's desires or aspirations
6. a park in which foreign animals are kept

paradise

1. A place or state of pure happiness. Christians (see also Christian ) have identified paradise both with the Garden of Eden and with heaven .

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradise¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English paradīs, from Late Latin paradīsus, from Greek parádeisos “park, pleasure-grounds,” from Old Iranian; compare Avestan pairi-daēza “enclosure”; akin to Greek perí peri- ( def ), teîkhos “mound, wall”

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradise¹

Old English, from Church Latin paradīsus, from Greek paradeisos garden, of Persian origin; compare Avestan pairidaēza enclosed area, from pairi- around + daēza wall

Idioms and Phrases

see fool's paradise .

Example Sentences

Having performed in church and played in a band after high school in Paradise, Smith moved to L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

“Freedom” gives Bravo an opportunity to shine in his first starring role after supporting parts in films ranging from “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” and “Ticket to Paradise” with Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

From Salon

As if on cue, the Dodgers scored five unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning, waking up the comatose Paradise crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

The Paradise Papers, a similar data leak made public in 2017, implicated Trump Cabinet members, advisors and major donors.

From Los Angeles Times

The only other California county to flip blue after voting for Trump in 2016 was mostly-rural Butte County — which saw massive displacement after the deadly Camp fire destroyed the town of Paradise in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bliss
• heaven
• utopia
• wonderland