# dharma

> English word · Noun · IPA /d̪hərm(ɑ)/ · frequency rank #20,334

## Definitions
1. The natural order of the universe; natural law, cosmic order.
2. One's obligation in respect to one's position in society, or the universe; one's duty, societally or cosmically.
3. The teachings of the Buddha as one's personal path to enlightenment.
4. The teachings of the Buddha as a practice to be promulgated and taught.
5. Rule of conduct.

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from Sanskrit धर्म (dhárma, “that which upholds or supports”). The definitions pertaining to Buddhism are influenced by dhamma, a loan word from Pali. Doublet of dhamma and firm.

## Easily confused with
- **drama** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dharma-vs-drama)
- **Dara** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dara-vs-dharma)
- **Dhaka** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dhaka-vs-dharma)
- **Daria** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/daria-vs-dharma)
- **DARPA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/darpa-vs-dharma)
- **Darla** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/darla-vs-dharma)

## Common misspellings (9)
`dahrma`, `ddharma`, `dhamra`, `dharam`, `dharmma`, `dharrma`, `dhharma`, `dhrama`, `hdarma`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dharma