First Known Use: 1801
Dictionary
nirvana
noun, nir·va·na often capitalized \nir-ˈvä-nə, (ˌ)nər-\
: the state of perfect happiness and peace in Buddhism where there is release from all forms of suffering
: a state or place of great happiness and peace
Full Definition of NIRVANA
1
: the final beatitude that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness
2
a : a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality; also : bliss, heaven b : a goal hoped for but apparently unattainable : dream
— nir·van·ic \-ˈvä-nik, -ˈva-\ adjective
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Origin of NIRVANA
Sanskrit nirvāṇa, literally, act of extinguishing, from nis- out + vāti it blows — more at wind
Related to NIRVANA
- Synonyms
- forgetfulness, oblivion, obliviousness
- Antonyms
- anti-utopia, dystopia, hell
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
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