Nirvana
noun /nɪəˈvɑː.nə/ — A state of perfect peace; the extinction of suffering
Definition
In Buddhism, the ultimate spiritual goal — the extinction of desire and suffering, and release from the cycle of rebirth. Used more broadly for any state of perfect peace or bliss.
Beyond the definition
Peace achieved by letting go. Unlike Elysium (happiness as reward), nirvana is happiness as absence — the end of wanting, the end of suffering, the quiet after everything difficult has dissolved.
Origin & history
From Sanskrit 'nirvāṇa' — 'nis' (out) + 'vā' (to blow). The 'blowing out' of the flame of desire, anger, and ignorance. Not extinction of the self but extinction of what torments the self.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
After the deadline finally passed, she sat in something approaching nirvana — the peace of being completely done.
Buddhist nirvana is often misunderstood as oblivion. It is closer to the complete absence of what makes you unhappy.
Nirvana is a state, not a place — which makes it both more and less accessible than paradise.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Nirvana” when the meaning fits your context: In Buddhism, the ultimate spiritual goal — the extinction of desire and suffering, and release from the cycle of rebirth. Used more broadly for any state of perfect peace or bliss.
Synonyms
bliss, liberation, enlightenment, transcendence, peace
Antonyms
suffering, desire, samsara
Related words
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Calm in Minimalism
An adult sits in a quiet, bare, minimalist room, eyes fixed on a distant point, choosing to ignore distractions to maintain inner peace.
The rejection of noise and engagement in favor of stillness represents the extinction of desire and the achievement of an internal state of perfect peace, the core definition of the word.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Nirvana" mean?
Nirvana is noun meaning: A state of perfect peace; the extinction of suffering. In Buddhism, the ultimate spiritual goal — the extinction of desire and suffering, and release from the cycle of rebirth. Used more broadly for any state of perfect peace or bliss.
Where does the word "Nirvana" come from?
From Sanskrit 'nirvāṇa' — 'nis' (out) + 'vā' (to blow). The 'blowing out' of the flame of desire, anger, and ignorance. Not extinction of the self but extinction of what torments the self.