What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nirvana
Example
The monk meditated for years to reach a state of nirvana. [nirvana: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of nirvana as she gazed at the sunset over the ocean. [nirvana: metaphorical use]
bliss
Example
The child's face lit up with bliss as she opened her birthday presents. [bliss: noun]
Example
He felt blissful after a long day of hiking in the mountains. [blissful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bliss is more commonly used in everyday language than nirvana. Bliss is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while nirvana is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nirvana and bliss?
Both nirvana and bliss can be used in formal and informal contexts, but nirvana may be more associated with a formal or academic tone due to its religious and philosophical origins.