# divinity

/dɪˈvɪnəti/ (US) · /dɪvˈɪnɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/divinity
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the state of being a god

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the state or quality of being a god.

For teachers: the state, position, or quality of being divine or a god.

- Many ancient kings claimed divinity to make their people obey them.
- The pharaohs of ancient Egypt were often regarded as living embodiments of divinity, bridging the gap between the mortal and the eternal.

### 2. a god or deity

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a god or a divine being.

For teachers: a specific deity or celestial being.

- The Greeks worshipped a divinity for almost every part of nature.
- The temple was dedicated to a minor divinity associated with the protection of travellers and merchants.

### 3. study of religion

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the study of religion and religious ideas.

For teachers: the academic study of religion or theology.

- He decided to go to university to study divinity and become a priest.
- After completing his master's degree in divinity, he spent several years working in rural parishes before returning to academia.

Usage: Often used in the names of university degrees, such as a Master of Divinity.

### 4. a type of sweet

noun · CEFR C2 · American English

a soft, white sweet made from sugar, corn syrup, and egg whites.

For teachers: a type of fudge-like confectionery made from egg whites, sugar, and corn syrup, often containing chopped nuts.

- My grandmother always made a batch of divinity for the holidays.
- The texture of the divinity was perfect—light, airy, and not too sticky, just as the traditional recipe intended.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the substance, but countable when referring to individual pieces.

## Examples

- The priest spoke about the divinity of Jesus.
- Many ancient cultures believed that their kings possessed a special divinity that set them apart from ordinary people.
- The theological debate focused on the precise nature of Christ's divinity and how it coexisted with his fully human experience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.