English Reference
noun · interjection · verb

god

n. · interj. · v.
US /ˈɡɑd/ UK /ɡˈɒd/ god UK spelling god's, god's, godded, Godding

  1. 01 A2 Elementary Religion

    n.the single being who created the universe in religions like Christianity, Islam, or Judaism.

    n.The supreme being and principal object of faith in monotheistic religions. Often capitalized as a proper noun.

    Simple

    Many people pray to God for help when they are going through a difficult time.

    In context

    Theologians have spent centuries debating the nature of God and the problem of evil in a world created by a benevolent deity.

    the creatorthe almighty
  2. 02 A2 Elementary Religion

    n.a spirit or being with special powers that people worship, especially in ancient stories.

    n.A superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity.

    Simple

    Mars was the Roman god of war, while Venus was the goddess of love.

    In context

    In ancient Greek mythology, the gods were often depicted as having human flaws and complex interpersonal rivalries.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    n.someone who is so good at a specific activity that they seem better than everyone else.

    n.A person who is exceptionally admired or influential in a specific field or activity. Informal in register.

    Simple

    In the world of guitar playing, he is considered a god by his fans.

    In context

    The lead developer was treated like a god within the startup, as his code formed the backbone of the entire platform.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Informal

    interj.a word you say when you are surprised, angry, or shocked.

    interj.An exclamation used to express surprise, anger, frustration, or emphasis. Often considered mild profanity depending on the social context.

    Simple

    Oh god, I completely forgot that the meeting was starting at eight.

    In context

    God, it is frustrating when the software crashes right before you have a chance to save your progress.

    Usage

    Often preceded by 'oh' or 'my'; can be offensive to religious speakers.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Literary

    v.to treat someone with so much respect that it is like you are worshipping them.

    v.To treat or worship someone or something as a deity. Often used in the phrasal form 'to god it over someone' to describe acting superior.

    Simple

    The fans would god their favorite singers, following their every move.

    In context

    The biography explores how the public tended to god the inventor, ignoring his significant personal failings in favor of his professional triumphs.

    deifyidolize
    demonizebelittle

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰew- Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰutós? Proto-Germanic *gudą Proto-West Germanic *god Old English god Middle English god Middle English God English God Derived from Middle English God. See god.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English God
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated