kumbaya

American  

[koom-bahy-yah, koom-] / ˌkʊm baɪˈyɑ, ˌkum- /

noun

1. (often used ironically) a belief in peace, harmony, goodwill, or naive idealism.

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adjective

1. (often used ironically) characterized by or expressing a belief in peace, harmony, goodwill, or naive idealism.

interjection

1. (used to express or suggest peace, harmony, goodwill, or naive idealism, often ironically.)

Example Sentences

These episodes don’t necessarily end with participants finding common ground in a kumbaya moment.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2025

"We're nowhere near the kind of kumbaya moment that was projected."

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

“It’s not like we’re all kumbaya out there,” Jon said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2025

“I’m not telling you that everybody’s going to come kumbaya on the table,” Kerry said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023

Not part of the kumbaya circles that Bit pretended to be too tough for.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds