Also called Gautama. Also called Butsu. Also called Goutama Buddha. Also called Goutama. Also called Gautama Buddha,. Prince Siddhāttha or Siddhartha, 566?–c480 b.c., Indian religious leader: founder of Buddhism.
any of a series of teachers in Buddhism, of whom Gautama was the last, who bring enlightenment and wisdom.
(sometimes lowercase) a person who has attained full prajna, or enlightenment; Arhat.
Buddhism (often capital) a person who has achieved a state of perfect enlightenment
an image or picture of the Buddha
First recorded in 1675–85; from Sanskrit: “awakened” ( budh- “awaken, notice, understand” + -ta past participle suffix)
How does buddha compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Manjusri, with a calm smile, gently raises his hand to counter that the true nonmaterial essence of the Buddha can never be comprehended before transcending the material world.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The famous Buddhist Angulimala Sutta tells a story of a serial killer who is redeemed by the Buddha and becomes a righteous monk.
From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026
A postcard shows the Buddha blowing a bubble in a relaxed pose with the words: "Blow it. Pop it. Forget it."
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
Upon arriving in India on 30 May, Min Aung Hlaing visited Bodh Gaya and offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple, built at the site where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
Then he moved over to look at the one with the both of them standing next to the Buddha.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
His wife, Diane, added a buddha after Game 1 which seems to have worked.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2025
They also took screenshots of products offered for sale on Facebook, from elephant ivory bracelets and rings trimmed in 14-karat gold to intricate happy buddha ivory carvings, whole rhino horns, and tiger fang pendants.
From National Geographic ● Dec. 18, 2020
Her buddha bowls celebrate the versatility and simplicity of this modern instagram food trend, champion seasonal veg and the power of a good dressing!
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2019
Or at least a buddha with dreadlocks and diamanté-rimmed sunglasses.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 13, 2017
Sitting like a starved and threadbare buddha, staring into the coals.
From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
