elysium

IPA/ɪˈlɪz.i.əm/
KK[ɪlˈɪziəm]IPA/ɪˈliː.zi.əm/

elysium — noun

1. a feeling of complete joy and peace, as if everything around you has suddenly be

1.nounC2
Definition

a feeling of complete joy and peace, as if everything around you has suddenly become perfect.

Example

After the concert ended, Noor sat smiling in quiet elysium all night.

in elysium for a blissful state

Holding her newborn son, Gita felt a brief moment of pure elysium.

moment of elysium

Synonyms
  • bliss

    more common and less literary, but close in meaning

  • ecstasy

    stronger and more excited, with less calm than elysium

  • paradise

    more often names an ideal place than a private feeling

Antonyms
  • misery

    a general state of deep unhappiness

  • torment

    suggests intense mental or physical suffering

Grammar Patterns

in elysium

Usage Note

Usually appears in literary or elevated writing for a mood of perfect happiness, not ordinary everyday pleasure. Distinguish from paradise, which more often suggests a place rather than an inner state.

Word family

  • elysian
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words point to very strong happiness, but they do not sound the same. Elysium is the most literary and suggests a calm, almost perfect state of joy and peace. Bliss is the closest everyday choice and can describe private happiness without sounding grand. Ecstasy is stronger and more explosive, often for excitement that almost overwhelms you. Paradise usually names an ideal place, though people also use it for a perfect situation. If someone sits quietly after a beautiful concert, elysium or bliss fits. If they scream with delight after winning a prize, ecstasy is better. If they describe a beach resort, paradise is the natural choice.

elysium ↗bliss ↗ecstasy ↗paradise ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • moment of elysium
  • state of elysium

Prepositions

  • in elysium

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

Elysium comes from Latin Elysium, borrowed from Greek Elysion, the name of the resting place for blessed heroes after death. Because that place was imagined as perfectly peaceful and happy, English later widened the word to mean a condition of complete joy or contentment, especially in literary language.