What is god? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of god in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of god

godnoun

thần, Chúa

/ɡɒd/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>god</strong>

Where does the word god come from?

The origin of the word "God" is complex and has evolved over time. In ancient Indo-European languages, the word for "god" is thought to have been "*deiwos", which was also the source of the Latin word "deus" and the Greek word "theos". The Proto-Indo-European root "*deiwo-" likely meant "shining" or "radiating", which may have referred to the gods' divine power or their association with the sky and lightning. The Anglo-Saxon word "Gōd" is derived from the Old English "Gōd", which was used to refer to a specific god or deity. This Etymology has been influenced by the Hebrew word "Elohim", which is used to refer to the God of the Israelites in the Bible. The use of "God" as a proper noun to refer to a supreme deity or creator has spread across languages and cultures, with the modern English word "God" having multiple connotations and interpretations depending on the context and belief system.

Vocabulary summary god

typenoun

meaninggod

examplethe god of wine

examplea feast for the gods

meaning(God) God, heaven, god

meaningrevered person; influential person; object of much attention

exampleto make a god of somebody

typeverb

meaningsanctify

examplethe god of wine

examplea feast for the gods

meaningpretend to be divine ((also) to god it)

Example of vocabulary godnamespace

meaning

the being or spirit that is worshipped and is believed to have created the universe

  • Do you believe in God?
  • Good luck and God bless you.
  • Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
  • I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give… (= in a court of law)
meaning

(in some religions) a being or spirit who is believed to have power over a particular part of nature or who is believed to represent a particular quality

  • the Hindu god Vishnu
  • Greek gods
  • the sun/rain god
  • Mars was the Roman god of war.
meaning

a person who is loved or admired very much by other people

  • To her fans she's a god.
meaning

something to which too much importance or attention is given

  • Money is his god.
meaning

the seats that are high up at the back of a theatre

  • We could only afford to sit in the gods.

Synonyms and related words for god

Idioms of vocabulary god

act of God
(law)an event caused by natural forces beyond human control, such as a storm, a flood or an earthquake
    by God!
    (old-fashioned, informal)used to emphasize a feeling of surprise or that you are determined to do something
      for the love of God
      (old-fashioned, informal)used when you are expressing anger and the fact that you are impatient
      • For the love of God, tell me what he said!
      God | God almighty | God in heaven | good God | my God | oh (dear) God
      (informal)used to emphasize what you are saying when you are surprised, shocked or annoyed
      • God, what a stupid thing to do!
      God bless
      used when you are leaving somebody, to say that you hope they will be safe, etc.
      • Goodnight, God bless.
      God/Heaven forbid (that…)
      (informal)used to say that you hope that something will not happen
      • ‘Maybe you'll end up as a lawyer, like me.’ ‘God forbid!’
      God/Heaven help somebody
      (informal)used to say that you are afraid somebody will be in danger or that something bad will happen to them
      • God help us if this doesn't work.
      God/goodness/Heaven knows
      used to emphasize that you do not know something
      • God knows what else they might find.
      • ‘Where are they?’ ‘Goodness knows.’
      used to emphasize the truth of what you are saying
      • She ought to pass the exam—goodness knows she's been working hard enough.
      God rest his/her soul | God rest him/her
      (old-fashioned, informal)used to show respect when you are talking about somebody who is dead
        God’s gift (to somebody/something)
        (ironic)a person who thinks that they are particularly good at something or who thinks that somebody will find them particularly attractive
        • He seems to think he's God's gift to women.
        God willing
        (informal)used to say that you hope that things will happen as you have planned and that there will be no problems
        • I'll be back next week, God willing.
        Heaven/God forfend (that)…
        (humorous or old use)used to say that you are frightened of the idea of something happening
        • Heaven forfend that students are encouraged to think!
        honest to God/goodness
        used to emphasize that what you are saying is true
        • Honest to God, Mary, I'm not joking.
        in God’s/Heaven’s name | in the name of God/Heaven
        used especially in questions to show that you are angry, surprised or shocked
        • What in God's name was that noise?
        • Where in the name of Heaven have you been?
        in the lap of the gods
        if the result of something is in the lap of the gods, you do not know what will happen because it depends on luck or things you cannot control
          a man of God/the cloth
          (old-fashioned, formal)a religious man, especially a priest or a clergyman
            play God
            to behave as if you control events or other people’s lives
            • It is unfair to ask doctors to play God and end someone's life.
            please God
            used to say that you very much hope or wish that something will happen or not happen
            • Please God, don't let him be dead.
            put the fear of God into somebody
            to make somebody very frightened, especially in order to make them do something
              so help me (God)
              used to swear that what you are saying is true, especially in a court of law
                thank God/goodness/heaven(s) (for something)
                used to say that you are pleased about something
                • Thank God you're safe!
                • ‘Thank goodness for that!’ she said with a sigh of relief.
                • Thank heavens I've found my keys.
                there but for the grace of God (go I)
                (saying)used to say that you could easily have been in the same difficult or unpleasant situation that somebody else is in
                  to God/goodness/Heaven
                  used after a verb to emphasize a particular hope, wish, etc.
                  • I wish to God you'd learn to pay attention!
                  ye gods!
                  (old-fashioned, informal)used to show surprise, lack of belief, etc.

                    Comment ()