heaven

heav-en · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    In religious belief, the abode of God and angels, and of the blessed after death.

  2. 2.

    A state or place of supreme happiness and bliss.

  3. 3.

    (the heavens) The sky, especially as viewed from Earth.

  4. 4.

    Used in exclamations to express surprise or emphasis.

Forms

plural: heavens

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    heaven forbid — used to express a fervent hope that something will not happen
  • •
    move heaven and earth — make every possible effort
  • •
    seventh heaven — a state of extreme happiness
  • •
    made in heaven — perfectly suited; ideal
  • •
    pennies from heaven — unexpected good fortune
  • •
    heaven knows — used for emphasis or to express uncertainty

Related words

Antonyms: hell, purgatory
See also: god, hell, paradise, sky
Synonyms: bliss, nirvana, paradise, sky

Etymology

From Old English "heofon" (sky, firmament, heaven), from Proto-Germanic "*himinaz." The word originally referred to the physical sky before acquiring its religious meaning. Cognate with Old Saxon "hevan" and Old Norse "himinn."