Shangri-La
noun /ˌʃæŋ.ɡriˈlɑː/ — A hidden paradise; an imagined perfect place
Definition
An imaginary hidden paradise — a remote, idyllic place where life is perfect and people do not age. Used to describe any utopian retreat from the world.
Beyond the definition
The paradise that requires discovery. Unlike nirvana (within) or Elysium (earned), Shangri-La is somewhere — hidden in mountains, requiring a journey, existing just beyond the map.
Origin & history
Coined by James Hilton in the 1933 novel 'Lost Horizon' — a fictional valley in Tibet where inhabitants live in perfect peace and almost indefinite lifespan. Inspired by Tibetan myths of Shambhala.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
They'd found their Shangri-La — a village with no phone signal and excellent bread.
Every generation imagines its own Shangri-La: the perfect place that solves the problem of ordinary life.
Shangri-La is seductive precisely because it is secret — accessible only to those the place chooses.
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 “Shangri-La” when the meaning fits your context: An imaginary hidden paradise — a remote, idyllic place where life is perfect and people do not age. Used to describe any utopian retreat from the world.
Synonyms
Antonyms
dystopia, reality
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Shangri-La" mean?
Shangri-La is noun meaning: A hidden paradise; an imagined perfect place. An imaginary hidden paradise — a remote, idyllic place where life is perfect and people do not age. Used to describe any utopian retreat from the world.
Where does the word "Shangri-La" come from?
Coined by James Hilton in the 1933 novel 'Lost Horizon' — a fictional valley in Tibet where inhabitants live in perfect peace and almost indefinite lifespan. Inspired by Tibetan myths of Shambhala.