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

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

From Salon

Others blame the Buddhist belief in karma, putting misfortunes like car accidents down to bad luck rather than bad habits.

From BBC

Speaking to the Stand Up For Southport community website at the time, the dad-of-three said: “I believe in karma. It’s good to do things to help other people.”

From BBC

Other henchmen could be thinking about their own karma and how they may not be as lucky as Teflon Don.

From Salon

It's good karma and you don't know where things are at.

From Salon