heavens
heavens — noun
1. the wide area of space high above the ground, including the stars and clouds, es
the wide area of space high above the ground, including the stars and clouds, especially when described in poetic or formal language
Astrid lay on the cold sand and watched the bright stars fill the heavens above the lake.
literary register: 'the heavens' for the night sky
Heavy storm clouds rolled across the heavens just before the wedding ceremony began outside.
collocation: clouds across the heavens
Old sailors once used the position of stars in the heavens to find their way across the ocean.
From the mountain peak, Maeve could see the sun rising slowly into the heavens above the valley.
The ancient temple was built so that priests could study the movement of planets across the heavens.
- earth
the ground below, as opposed to the sky overhead
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural with 'the'. Common in poetry, religious texts, and weather or astronomy contexts; in everyday speech, learners usually pick 'the sky' instead.
常見錯誤
2. in some religions, the place high above where God lives and where good people ar
in some religions, the place high above where God lives and where good people are believed to go after they die
The old priest taught the children that the souls of the kind rise to the heavens after death.
collocation: rise to the heavens
Many ancient paintings show angels with white wings looking down from the heavens onto the city.
preposition: from / down from the heavens
Hamza's grandmother believed her late husband was watching over the family from the heavens.
The hymn described how the souls of the faithful would one day enter the heavens together.
- paradise
describes a place of perfect happiness, often with the same religious meaning
- hell
the place of punishment after death in some religions
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (the physical sky): this sense names a spiritual realm and almost always appears in religious or literary contexts. Singular 'heaven' is more typical in modern Christian English.
3. the lasting spiritual condition of living in the presence of God, described in s
the lasting spiritual condition of living in the presence of God, described in some Christian writing as a peaceful joy that has no end — for example, the calm a believer is said to feel during deep prayer
The monk wrote that quiet prayer each morning brought his heart closer to the heavens.
collocation: closer to the heavens
Sister Ari knelt by the candles each evening, hoping that her quiet songs lifted her soul toward the heavens.
collocation: lift the soul toward the heavens
Yael's pastor said that acts of kindness on earth prepared the believer for the heavens above.
After his wife's funeral, Samir said his hours of prayer in the small chapel let him already taste the heavens.
- salvation
names the act of being saved spiritually; 'the heavens' here names the ongoing state
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (the place): this sense names an inner spiritual condition rather than a location. Mostly found in older religious writing; modern speakers usually say 'heaven' or 'union with God' instead.
4. a respectful or old-fashioned way of saying 'God', used to avoid naming the deit
a respectful or old-fashioned way of saying 'God', used to avoid naming the deity directly, especially in oaths and prayers
The old soldier raised his sword and swore by the heavens that he would protect the village.
fixed expression: swear by the heavens
In the play, the king cries out for the heavens to forgive his cruel decision.
collocation: pray / cry to the heavens
Gita whispered a quiet thanks to the heavens when her son arrived safely home from the long journey.
The poet asked the heavens why such suffering had fallen upon his peaceful village.
- providence
another respectful word for God, suggesting divine care or guidance
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Frequently appears in fixed phrases like 'swear by the heavens' and 'thank the heavens'. Used as a polite substitute for 'God' in many older texts, plays, and poems; rare in modern conversation outside set expressions.
5. a feeling or moment of very strong happiness, used informally to describe someth
a feeling or moment of very strong happiness, used informally to describe something that brings deep delight
Christopher said the warm bowl of homemade soup after the cold hike was pure heavens.
collocation: pure heavens
After her long shift at the hospital, sinking into a hot bath felt like the heavens to Nala.
construction: feel like the heavens
The quiet beach at sunrise, with no tourists in sight, was sheer heavens for the photographer.
Tomás laughed and said the small village bakery, with its fresh bread, was simply heavens on earth.
- misery
very strong unhappiness; the direct opposite of this informal sense
文法句型
be in (the) heavens
用法筆記
Typically follows linking verbs like 'be' or 'feel like', and is often modified by intensifiers such as 'pure', 'sheer', or 'simply'. The singular 'heaven' is more common in this sense; 'heavens' here is a casual plural variant.