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satori

American  
[suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / səˈtɔr i, -ˈtoʊr i /

noun

Zen.
  1. sudden enlightenment.


satori British  
/ səˈtɔːrɪ /

noun

  1. Zen Buddhism the state of sudden indescribable intuitive enlightenment

"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 satori

First recorded in 1720–30; from Japanese: specific sense of noun satori “comprehension, understanding,” derivative of the verb satori “to awaken”

Vocabulary lists containing satori

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.

Just kidding – but truly, Steve's display of satori verges on this level of supernatural.

From Salon • Aug. 25, 2023

How would judges differentiate between mostly invisible forms of quietly crouching satori?

From The New Yorker • Dec. 10, 2018

Nothing matches the soaked-in moment of satori like Traditional 15.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2016

Some meditation teachers claim or strongly imply that they have achieved a state of profound, permanent bliss called enlightenment—also known as satori, samadhi, nirvana, liberation, awakening, cosmic consciousness.

From Scientific American • Jul. 8, 2015

In fact, Krause put together rosters that three-peated twice, even though the Zen master acted as if the talent appeared shortly after he achieved satori.

From Chicago Tribune • Mar. 19, 2014