Divine Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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divine

[dɪˈvaɪn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

spiritual belief

of, from, or like God or a god; very good or pleasing; delightful

Synonyms

blessed, celestial, godly, heavenly, holy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
divine

Used to describe something extremely good or delightful; also refers to anything directly related to a deity or god.

  • The cake she baked was simply divine.
  • The ancient temple had a divine aura.
heavenly

Refers to something extremely pleasant or beautiful, as though it came from heaven; also relates to religious concepts of paradise.

  • The dessert was heavenly, melting in your mouth.
  • The landscape had a heavenly glow at sunset.
holy

Used specifically in religious contexts to describe something sacred, sanctified, or associated with God. Can also refer to someone or something deeply moral and virtuous.

  • The Bible is considered a holy book.
  • The holy water was used in the blessing ceremony.
celestial

Typically used to refer to things related to the sky or outer space, often encapsulating a sense of beauty or majesty. Can also mean heavenly or divine.

  • Astronomers study celestial bodies like stars and planets.
  • The choir's voices were of celestial beauty.
godly

Often used to describe someone who is very devout or pious; can also mean divine or resembling God.

  • He led a very godly and humble life.
  • Her godly demeanor inspired those around her.
blessed

Commonly used in religious contexts to refer to being favored by God. It can also describe something that brings happiness or joy.

  • They felt blessed to have such a loving family.
  • The priest blessed the congregation.

Examples of usage

  • Her singing was divine.
  • The view from the mountaintop was truly divine.
  • The taste of the cake was divine.
Context #2 | Verb

predict the future

to discover something (such as a hidden message or fate) by intuition or insight

Examples of usage

  • She claimed to divine the future from reading tarot cards.
  • The ancient priestess could divine the will of the gods.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Religious Significance

  • In many religions, divinity represents the quality of being godlike or sacred.
  • The concept of divine beings or gods is central to faiths like Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
  • Divine intervention refers to the belief that a deity can influence events in the world.

Literature

  • Divine characters often symbolize ultimate goodness or righteousness in stories and myths.
  • Many literary works explore the theme of human interactions with the divine, questioning morality and existence.
  • In poetry, 'divine' is often used to convey beauty, love, or deep emotional experiences.

Art

  • Renaissance art featured many divine themes, depicting gods and religious figures.
  • Artists like Michelangelo portrayed divinity in their works, aiming to evoke awe and reverence.
  • In modern art, the idea of the divine can challenge traditional representations and explore personal spirituality.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers often debate the nature of the divine, discussing concepts of existence and the universe.
  • Ideas about what is divine can reflect human values and ethics in philosophical discussions.
  • Some philosophical schools propose that the divine is not an entity but an expression of the highest values or truths.

Origin of 'divine'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'divinus', meaning 'of a god'.
  • It has roots in the Proto-Indo-European word 'dyeus', which refers to the daytime sky or a god.
  • Over time, 'divine' evolved to describe things that are heavenly or excellent.

The word 'divine' originated from the Latin word 'divinus', which means 'of a god' or 'from a god'. In ancient times, it was used to describe things related to gods or goddesses, showing a sense of sacredness and holiness. Over time, the meaning expanded to include something exceptionally good or pleasing, reflecting a divine quality. The verb form 'to divine' also has roots in ancient divination practices, where individuals sought to uncover hidden truths or predict the future through mystical means.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,441, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.