noun Uncommon

dharma

DAH-muh

Dharma (noun) means In Hinduism and related traditions, the natural order of the universe, or the moral law that upholds it. Example: “She said that living honestly, even when it costs you, is part of her dharma.”

noun

In Hinduism and related traditions, the natural order of the universe, or the moral law that upholds it.

"She said that living honestly, even when it costs you, is part of her dharma."

"The ancient texts describe dharma as the thread that holds society and the cosmos together."

In Buddhism, the Buddha's teachings, especially as a path toward enlightenment.

"He spent a year at the monastery studying the dharma."

How to use dharma

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person's duty or the right way to live, according to Hindu or Buddhist teaching — or, more broadly, the moral order of the universe.

Memory tip

Think of dharma as "your proper role and the right way to fulfill it," whether that's a personal duty or a spiritual teaching.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

follow your dharma the teachings of dharma live according to dharma

Word forms

dharmas plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “dharma” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She said that living honestly, even when it costs you, is part of her _____.

Etymology

Borrowed from Sanskrit dharma, "that which upholds or supports," related to the Pali word dhamma.

Origin: Sanskrit

Rhymes for dharma

parma karma Sharma pharma

See all rhymes for dharma →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dharma” mean?

The word “dharma” means in Hinduism and related traditions, the natural order of the universe, or the moral law that upholds it. In plain terms, a person's duty or the right way to live, according to Hindu or Buddhist teaching — or, more broadly, the moral order of the universe.

How do you pronounce “dharma”?

“Dharma” is pronounced DAH-muh (/ˈdɑɹ.mə/ in IPA).

How do you use “dharma” in a sentence?

Here is “dharma” used in a sentence: “She said that living honestly, even when it costs you, is part of her dharma.”

What part of speech is “dharma”?

“Dharma” is a noun.

Where does the word “dharma” come from?

The word “dharma” comes from Sanskrit. Borrowed from Sanskrit dharma, "that which upholds or supports," related to the Pali word dhamma.

Is “dharma” a common word?

“Dharma” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dharma” have?

“Dharma” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Hinduism and related traditions, the natural order of the universe, or the moral law that upholds it.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include dharma:

Words with Sanskrit origins