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goddess

n.
US //ˈɡɑdəs// UK //ɡˈɒdɛs// god·dess
  1. 1 female deity (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Religion

    a female god in a religion or mythology.

    a female deity worshipped within a polytheistic religious system.

    Example

    Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom and war.

    Example

    The temple was dedicated to the goddess of the harvest, where farmers would leave offerings in hopes of a fertile season.

  2. 2 admired woman (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a woman who is greatly admired for being very beautiful or talented.

    a woman who is idolised or adored, typically for her physical beauty, grace, or exceptional intelligence.

    Example

    The fans treated the famous singer like a goddess.

    Example

    In the golden age of Hollywood, the studio marketed her as a screen goddess to ensure her films were commercial successes.

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  1. 3 powerful woman (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

    a woman who has a lot of power, authority, or influence.

    a woman possessing substantial authority or influence in a specific field or social circle.

    Example

    In the fashion world, the magazine editor was seen as a total goddess.

    Example

    She moved through the corporate headquarters with the confidence of a goddess, knowing her decisions could shift the entire market.

Origin

From Middle English goddesse, equivalent to god + -ess, formed about 1350. The figurative meaning is first found in Edmund Spenser's Shepheardes calender (1579). Displaced Old English gyden.

Idioms4 entries

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