blissful
BLISS-ful
/ˈblɪsfʊl/
Extremely happy; full of joy.
Suggests a state of perfect, serene happiness, often associated with honeymoons or early love.
The story behind the word. From the Old English 'blis,' which originally meant 'merriment' or 'kindness.' It is related to the word 'blithe.' Over centuries, it shifted from outward merriment to an inward state of perfect joy.
Word relationships
- euphoric: Euphoric is more intense and often short-lived; blissful is more serene and lasting.
- miserable: Very unhappy or uncomfortable.
Commonly confused with
- happy: Happy is a general term; blissful is a much higher degree of joy.
Word family
- bliss (noun): Perfect happiness.
- blissfully (adverb): In a blissful manner.
Collocations
- blissful ignorance
- blissful marriage
- blissful weekend
Idioms & expressions
- blissful ignorance
Example sentences
- "They spent a blissful week in the Maldives, completely disconnected from the rest of the world." Describing a honeymoon experience.
- "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." A common idiom about lack of knowledge. (Thomas Gray)
Memory hook
Bliss is like a 'bless'-ing that makes you 'full' of joy. Full of perfect joy.
When not to use
A bit too strong for mild satisfaction; use it for peak emotional experiences.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'blissful ignorance' suggests that not knowing about a problem can actually make you happier.
Explore more words
serene, exuberant, exhilarating, elated, luxurious, enthusiastic
Also appears in
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