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Elysian

American  
[ih-lizh-uhn, ih-lee-zhuhn] / ɪˈlɪʒ ən, ɪˈli ʒən /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or resembling Elysium.

  2. blissful; delightful.


Elysian British  
/ ɪˈlɪzɪən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to Elysium

  2. literary delightful; glorious; blissful

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Elysian

First recorded in 1570–80; Elysi(um) + -an

Explanation

The adjective elysian describes a blissful state, like the one most people hope to enjoy on a Hawaiian vacation. The word elysian comes from the idyllic Greek mythological place called Elysian Fields. While it might seem at first like a place a tourist might want to see, don’t try to book airline tickets! Although the term is now often equated with a paradise, the Greek Elysian Fields were a heavenly resting place to go in the afterlife. The concept was probably originally conceived to encourage valor in soldiers during battle. Nowadays, people tend to use elysian to describe any heavenly scene — even a golf resort or a spa.

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Vocabulary lists containing elysian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Make it a work day in Elysian Valley, a.k.a.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 12, 2026

Born in El Paso, Molina was 5 when he and his family moved to Elysian Valley in 1958.

From Los Angeles Times May 4, 2026

After six months of dating, we decided to live together and rented an old Craftsman home in Echo Park, which sat at the top of a hill that overlooked Dodger stadium and Elysian Park.

From Los Angeles Times May 1, 2026

The Elysian in Frogtown is a great spot.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 6, 2026

Cecile Sabat’s house leaned between two others just like it on Elysian Fields.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

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