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

This was how the bird of paradise first made itself known to me.

From Los Angeles Times

But he can't actually conquer them, because if he ever achieved the alleged paradise of conformity he promises, his followers wouldn't need him anymore.

From Salon

Frankly, these days, hearing a centenarian peanut farmer read you to sleep sounds like paradise.

From Los Angeles Times

Nine innings later, one win from paradise, the Dodgers are taking the words right out of his mouth.

From Los Angeles Times

"London is a forager's paradise" full of a diverse range of plants that can be eaten, says John Rensten, foraging expert and author.

From BBC

Related Words

• bliss
• heaven
• utopia
• wonderland