Goddess: meaning, definitions and examples

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goddess

[ˈɡɑdɪs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

mythology

A female deity or supreme being, often associated with beauty, love, and fertility. Goddesses are worshipped in various cultures and religions around the world.

Synonyms

deity, divinity, female god.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
goddess	This term is commonly used to refer to a female deity in various religious traditions or mythologies. It can also be used in a metaphorical sense to describe a woman who is highly admired or revered. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty. In modern culture, some people refer to their favorite actress as a 'goddess.'
deity	This word is a more general term for a god or goddess. It is used in both religious and mythological contexts to refer to a being with divine status. Many ancient civilizations worshipped multiple deities. The concept of a single deity is central to monotheistic religions.
divinity	This term refers more to the state or quality of being divine, rather than a specific deity. It can imply godliness or the study of gods and religious matters. The divinity of nature is a recurring theme in many spiritual texts. She studied divinity at the theological seminary.
female god	This phrase is a literal way of referring to a goddess. It is less commonly used and can sometimes sound awkward. It might be used for clarity in certain academic or educational contexts. The mythology includes both male and female gods.

Examples of usage

She is considered the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology.
The ancient Egyptians worshipped the goddess Isis.
In Hinduism, Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

A woman who is greatly admired, especially for her beauty or talent.

Synonyms

celebrity, icon, queen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
goddess	Use when referring to a female deity or a woman who is adored or revered as if she were divine. In ancient Greek mythology, Athena was a powerful goddess of wisdom and warfare She walked into the room with such grace and confidence; she looked like a goddess
icon	Use when referring to a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration. She is an icon of fashion, influencing styles around the world The Statue of Liberty is considered an American icon
queen	Use when referring to a female monarch or, informally, to a woman who is highly respected in a certain field. Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history In the world of comedy, she is truly the queen
celebrity	Use when talking about a famous person, particularly someone in the entertainment industry. The red carpet was lined with celebrities at the film premiere She became a celebrity overnight after her song went viral

Examples of usage

She was hailed as a goddess on the red carpet.
The actress is considered a goddess of the silver screen.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

'Goddess' comes from the Old English word 'goddess', which is a combination of 'god' and a feminine suffix.
This word has roots in various ancient languages, linking back to the Proto-Germanic '*gudan', a term for divine beings.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, goddesses represent elements like love, war, wisdom, and fertility.
The Hindu pantheon features numerous goddesses such as Saraswati (knowledge) and Durga (strength), showcasing female divinity.
Ancient Egyptians worshipped goddesses like Isis, who embodied motherhood and fertility, highlighting women's important roles in society.

Literature

Famous works often feature goddesses as powerful figures, like Athena in Greek mythology, who symbolizes wisdom and warfare.
In modern literature, goddesses appear in various forms, from the strong female leads in fantasy novels to reimagined figures in contemporary fiction.

Psychology

Symbolically, goddesses represent aspects of femininity that are empowering, nurturing, or fierce, influencing how women see themselves.
Studies show that cultural representations of goddesses can impact gender perceptions and the expectations of women in society.

Pop Culture

Goddesses often appear in movies and comics, like Wonder Woman, who embodies strength and compassion.
Television series frequently reimagine mythological goddesses, exploring themes of power, identity, and morality among them.

Translations

Translations of the word "goddess" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deusa

🇮🇳 देवी

🇩🇪 Göttin

🇮🇩 dewi

🇺🇦 богиня

🇵🇱 bogini

🇯🇵 女神 (めがみ)

🇫🇷 déesse

🇪🇸 diosa

🇹🇷 tanrıça

🇰🇷 여신 (yeosin)

🇸🇦 إلهة

🇨🇿 bohyně

🇸🇰 bohyňa

🇨🇳 女神 (nǚshén)

🇸🇮 boginja

🇮🇸 gyðja

🇰🇿 тәңір

🇬🇪 დევი

🇦🇿 ilahə

🇲🇽 diosa

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,000 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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7997 eastward
7998 reporters
7999 fungi
8000 goddess
8001 cite
8002 counterpart
8003 restrained
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