# god

/ˈɡɑd/ (US) · /ɡˈɒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/god
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. monotheism

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- Many people pray to God for help when they are going through a difficult time.
- Theologians have spent centuries debating the nature of God and the problem of evil in a world created by a benevolent deity.

### 2. polytheism

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- Mars was the Roman god of war, while Venus was the goddess of love.
- In ancient Greek mythology, the gods were often depicted as having human flaws and complex interpersonal rivalries.

### 3. highly skilled person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

- In the world of guitar playing, he is considered a god by his fans.
- The lead developer was treated like a god within the startup, as his code formed the backbone of the entire platform.

### 4. exclamation of emotion

interjection · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

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

- Oh god, I completely forgot that the meeting was starting at eight.
- 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. to treat as a deity

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

- The fans would god their favorite singers, following their every move.
- The biography explores how the public tended to god the inventor, ignoring his significant personal failings in favor of his professional triumphs.

## Examples

- Many people pray to God for help and guidance.
- The ancient Greeks believed that each god controlled a different part of the natural world, such as the sea or the sky.
- Philosophers have long debated whether the existence of a benevolent God can be reconciled with the presence of suffering in the physical world.

---

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.