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god

n. C / U
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈɡɑd// UK //ɡˈɒd// god General-service Informal Vulgar

n. the being that people in many religions believe created the world and has power over everything. In some cultures, people also use this word to talk about one of many powerful spirits.

n. the supreme being or principal object of faith in monotheistic religions; a being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human fortunes.


SIMPLE

Many people pray to God for help and guidance.

CONTEXTUAL

The ancient Greeks believed that each god controlled a different part of the natural world, such as the sea or the sky.

COMPLEX

Philosophers have long debated whether the existence of a benevolent God can be reconciled with the presence of suffering in the physical world.

Synonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

Capitalised as a proper noun when referring to the single deity of monotheistic religions; lowercase when referring to deities in polytheistic systems.

Idioms19 entries

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