ENGLISH
REFERENCE

godmother

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡɑdˌməðɝ// UK //ɡˈɒdmʌðɐ// god·moth·er

n. a woman who is chosen to look after a child and give them advice, especially after the child's parents are gone.

n. a woman who is formally appointed to provide guidance and support to a child, typically after the child's parents have died or are unable to care for them.


SIMPLE

She became the godmother of her best friend's son.

CONTEXTUAL

The child's godmother was a close family friend who promised to help raise him if the parents ever moved away.

COMPLEX

In many traditional cultures, the godmother is expected to serve as a moral compass for the child, offering wisdom and protection throughout their life.

Origin

From Middle English godmoder, from Old English godmōdor (“godmother”), equivalent to god- + mother. Cognate with Old High German gotmuoter (“godmother”), Old Norse guðmóðir (“godmother”), Icelandic guðmóður (“godmother”), Swedish gudmoder (“godmother”), Danish gudmor (“godmother”).

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