paradise
PA-ruh-dys
Paradise (noun) means a place or state of perfect happiness, often associated with heaven or the Garden of Eden. Example: “The poem describes paradise as a garden where nobody ever grows old or sad.”
noun
1
A place or state of perfect happiness, often associated with heaven or the Garden of Eden.
"The poem describes paradise as a garden where nobody ever grows old or sad."
"In many stories, the hero's reward is a place in paradise."
"For many believers, paradise awaits after death."
2
Any place that feels ideal or blissful, especially for a particular kind of person or activity.
"For hungry travellers, this street market is paradise on a sunny afternoon."
"The tropical island was a diver's paradise."
"This bookshop is paradise for anyone who loves old novels."
How to use paradise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA perfect, blissful place — whether religious (heaven, Eden) or everyday (a "shopper's paradise").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tropical paradise
a shopper's paradise
paradise on earth
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Word forms
- Plural
- paradises
- Third person singular
- paradises
- Past tense
- paradised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The poem describes _____ as a garden where nobody ever grows old or sad.
Etymology
From Greek paradeisos, originally meaning a walled garden or park, tracing back to a Persian word for an enclosed pleasure-ground — it displaced the earlier Old English word neorxnawang.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for paradise
See all rhymes for paradise →Frequently asked questions
What does “paradise” mean?
The word “paradise” means a place or state of perfect happiness, often associated with heaven or the Garden of Eden. In plain terms, a perfect, blissful place — whether religious (heaven, Eden) or everyday (a "shopper's paradise").
How do you pronounce “paradise”?
“Paradise” is pronounced PA-ruh-dys (/ˈpæɹədaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “paradise” in a sentence?
Here is “paradise” used in a sentence: “For many believers, paradise awaits after death.”
What is another word for “paradise”?
Words with a similar meaning to “paradise” include heaven, Eden, Shangri-La, Peach Blossom Spring, utopia and Arcadia.
What part of speech is “paradise”?
“Paradise” is a noun.
Where does the word “paradise” come from?
The word “paradise” comes from Old English. From Greek paradeisos, originally meaning a walled garden or park, tracing back to a Persian word for an enclosed pleasure-ground — it displaced the earlier Old English word neorxnawang.
Is “paradise” a common word?
“Paradise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “paradise” have?
“Paradise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place or state of perfect happiness, often associated with heaven or the Garden of Eden.
What is the difference between 'paradise' and 'heaven'?
'Heaven' usually names a specific religious realm of the afterlife or where God dwells, while 'paradise' is broader. Paradise can mean any place or state of perfect happiness, whether religious, like the Garden of Eden, or simply an ideal, blissful spot.
What is the difference between 'paradise' and 'utopia'?
Paradise is a place or state of perfect happiness, often with religious or blissful associations. A utopia is an imagined society that is perfectly ordered and governed, so it stresses ideal social arrangements rather than personal bliss.
Is 'paradise' a religious word?
Paradise has strong religious associations, often linked to heaven or the Garden of Eden. However, it is also used in everyday language for any place that feels ideal or blissful, such as a 'tropical paradise.'
What is the plural of 'paradise'?
The plural is 'paradises,' used when referring to more than one ideal or blissful place. The word is nevertheless often used in the singular.
