noun
lila
Lila (noun) means In Hindu philosophy, the idea that the universe and its events are the playful, creative expression of the divine. Example: “The dance was performed as an offering to the lila of the gods.”
noun
1
In Hindu philosophy, the idea that the universe and its events are the playful, creative expression of the divine.
"The dance was performed as an offering to the lila of the gods."
name
1
A female first name used in both Arabic- and Sanskrit-influenced naming traditions.
"“I been thinking about ‘Lila.’ I had a sister Lila. Give her a pretty name, maybe she could turn out pretty.”"
— Marilynne Robinson, Lila (2014)
"Lila grew up speaking three languages at home."
How to use lila
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a philosophical term, it means the world is like divine play rather than a fixed, serious plan; as a name, it's simply a popular given name.
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The dance was performed as an offering to the _____ of the gods.
Etymology
From Sanskrit लीला (līlā), meaning "play" or "sport," referring to divine creative activity.
Related words
Rhymes for lila
See all rhymes for lila →Frequently asked questions
What does “lila” mean?
The word “lila” means in Hindu philosophy, the idea that the universe and its events are the playful, creative expression of the divine. In plain terms, as a philosophical term, it means the world is like divine play rather than a fixed, serious plan; as a name, it's simply a popular given name.
How do you use “lila” in a sentence?
Here is “lila” used in a sentence: “The dance was performed as an offering to the lila of the gods.”
What part of speech is “lila”?
Depending on how it is used, “lila” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “lila” come from?
The word “lila” comes from Sanskrit. From Sanskrit लीला (līlā), meaning "play" or "sport," referring to divine creative activity.
How many meanings does “lila” have?
“Lila” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Hindu philosophy, the idea that the universe and its events are the playful, creative expression of the divine.
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