ENGLISH
REFERENCE

godless

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɡɑdɫəs// UK //ɡˈɒdləs// god·less Slang Vulgar

adj. describing someone who does not believe in a god or who does not follow religious rules. It is often used in a negative way to say someone is not moral or is acting badly.

adj. lacking a belief in a deity or the moral guidance of religion. Often carries a pejorative or dismissive tone, implying a lack of ethical restraint or spiritual conviction.


SIMPLE

He was called a godless man for his cruel behavior.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician was criticized for his godless lifestyle, which many felt was incompatible with his public policy goals.

COMPLEX

The novel explores the tension between a godless society and the traditional values that once defined the community's social fabric.

Synonyms
Origin

From god + -less. Compare Saterland Frisian godloos (“godless”), West Frisian goddeleas (“godless; wicked”), Dutch goddeloos (“godless; wicked”), German Low German gottlos (“godless”), German gottlos (“godless”), Danish gudløse (“godless”), Swedish gudlös (“godless; ungodly”), Icelandic guðlaus (“godless”), Gothic 𐌲𐌿𐌳𐌰𐌻𐌰𐌿𐍃 (gudalaus, “godless”).

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