heaven
HEH-vuhn
Heaven (noun) means In many religions, the place where God, gods, or the blessed dead are believed to dwell. Example: “She believed her grandmother was watching over her from heaven.”
noun
1
In many religions, the place where God, gods, or the blessed dead are believed to dwell.
"She believed her grandmother was watching over her from heaven."
"Many people hope to meet their loved ones again in heaven."
"The preacher spoke of angels singing in heaven."
2
A state or place of great happiness; paradise.
"Lying on the beach with nothing to do felt like heaven."
"After a week of hard work, a hot bath and a good book were heaven."
"For a child who loves sweets, that shop is pure heaven."
3
(Often plural, "the heavens") The sky.
"The heavens opened just as we stepped outside."
"Stars filled the heavens above the campsite on that clear night."
"Ancient astronomers spent their nights carefully studying the heavens."
How to use heaven
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe religious afterlife of eternal happiness, or more loosely, any wonderful experience or place.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
go to heaven
heaven on earth
the heavens opened
thank heaven
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Word forms
- Plural
- heavens
- Third person singular
- heavens
- Past tense
- heavened
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She believed her grandmother was watching over her from _____.
Etymology
From Old English heofon, an ancient Germanic word originally meaning "sky," which came to also mean the divine dwelling place above it.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for heaven
See all rhymes for heaven →Frequently asked questions
What does “heaven” mean?
The word “heaven” means in many religions, the place where God, gods, or the blessed dead are believed to dwell. In plain terms, the religious afterlife of eternal happiness, or more loosely, any wonderful experience or place.
How do you pronounce “heaven”?
“Heaven” is pronounced HEH-vuhn (/ˈhɛvən/ in IPA).
How do you use “heaven” in a sentence?
Here is “heaven” used in a sentence: “She believed her grandmother was watching over her from heaven.”
What is another word for “heaven”?
Words with a similar meaning to “heaven” include firmament, sky, welkin and pearly gates.
What is the opposite of “heaven”?
The opposite of “heaven” — its antonyms — are hell, horror and nightmare.
What part of speech is “heaven”?
“Heaven” is a noun.
Where does the word “heaven” come from?
The word “heaven” comes from Old English. From Old English heofon, an ancient Germanic word originally meaning "sky," which came to also mean the divine dwelling place above it.
Is “heaven” a common word?
“Heaven” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between heaven and paradise?
The words overlap and are often used interchangeably. Heaven is broadly the dwelling place of God, gods, or the blessed dead. Paradise emphasizes a state of perfect happiness and beauty, originally a garden like Eden. In many traditions paradise is heaven itself, or a blissful region within or leading to it.
What is the opposite of heaven?
In most religious traditions the opposite of heaven is hell, a place of punishment, suffering, or separation from God for the wicked. Some faiths describe intermediate states as well, such as purgatory. More loosely, 'heaven' and 'hell' are used for any experience of great joy or great misery.
How do different religions describe heaven?
Views vary widely. Christianity and Islam picture heaven as eternal life in God's presence, rich with peace and reward. Judaism speaks more cautiously of the world to come. Eastern traditions may describe heavenly realms as blissful but temporary stops within rebirth, rather than a final, permanent destination.
Why is heaven important in religion?
Heaven gives many believers hope beyond death, promising reward, reunion with loved ones, and closeness to the divine. It offers comfort in grief, a reason to live morally, and a sense that justice ultimately prevails. As an ideal of perfect peace, it also shapes art, music, and everyday language.
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