English Reference
noun

paradise

n.
US /ˈpɛɹəˌdaɪs/ UK /pˈæɹədˌaɪs/ par·adise UK spelling paradises

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    a place that is extremely beautiful and pleasant, often with trees and warm weather.

    a location of supreme beauty, delight, or bliss; often used to describe tropical or idyllic landscapes.

    Simple

    The white sandy beaches and blue water made the island feel like paradise.

    In context

    The developers marketed the secluded coastal stretch as a tropical paradise, emphasizing its untouched coral reefs and lush vegetation.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    in some religions, the place where good people go after they die.

    the abode of God or the state of the redeemed after death in various theological traditions.

    Simple

    The preacher spoke about the peace that awaits believers in paradise.

    In context

    Dante's epic poem concludes with a journey through the celestial spheres of paradise, representing the soul's ascent to the divine.

    heaventhe hereafter
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a place that is perfect for a particular type of person or activity.

    a place or situation providing optimal conditions for a specific interest or demographic.

    Simple

    With its many bookstores and quiet cafés, this city is a book lover's paradise.

    In context

    The region's complex tax laws and lack of oversight have turned it into a tax paradise for multinational corporations.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency British EnglishSlang Theatre

    the highest and cheapest seats in a theatre.

    the uppermost gallery or highest seating tier in a theatre, typically offering the least expensive tickets.

    Simple

    We could only afford tickets for the paradise, so the actors looked very small.

    In context

    From their cramped vantage point in the paradise, the students could see the entire stage layout but struggled to hear the unamplified dialogue.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency TechnicalArchaic Architecture

    an open space or garden inside a monastery or next to a church.

    an enclosed space, such as a cloister or the court before a basilica, within a religious architectural complex.

    Simple

    The monks spent their afternoons reading in the quiet paradise of the abbey.

    In context

    The restoration project focused on the medieval paradise, ensuring the original drainage system of the inner courtyard remained functional.


From paradise. The town in Newfoundland is named after Houmet Paradis near Guernsey.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated