1. God (noun): The supreme being or creator in monotheistic religions, worshiped as the all-powerful, all-knowing divine entity.
2. God (noun): A deity or divine figure in polytheistic religions, representing various aspects of nature, life, or human experience.
3. God (noun): An idolized person or thing that holds extreme admiration, power, or influence.
4. God (exclamation): An expression used to convey strong emotion, such as surprise, frustration, or urgency.
The word "God" is deeply rooted in religious, philosophical, and cultural discussions. It primarily refers to the supreme being in monotheistic faiths, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. In polytheistic religions, "God" may refer to one of many deities. Additionally, the term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe someone or something revered for their power or influence. The word is also used as an exclamation in everyday language.
The term "God" has significant spiritual, cultural, and linguistic importance. It can refer to the divine creator, a specific deity in polytheistic religions, or even a highly admired person or concept. Below are its key definitions and meanings.
In monotheistic religions, "God" refers to the all-powerful, all-knowing creator and ruler of the universe. This belief is central to faiths such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
In polytheistic traditions, "God" may refer to one of many deities that represent various aspects of life, nature, or human characteristics. Examples include Zeus in Greek mythology and Shiva in Hinduism.
Beyond religious use, "God" can describe a person or thing that holds great power, influence, or admiration. For example, a musician or athlete may be called a "god" in their field.
"God" is sometimes used as an exclamation to express emotions such as shock, excitement, or frustration. Examples include phrases like "Oh my God!" or "Good God!"
"God is chiefly a common noun that labels a deity and varies between singular and plural depending on context." "When capitalized it functions as a proper noun designating the specific deity of religions such as Christianity, Islam, or Judaism." "On rare occasions it appears as an interjection expressing emotion, as in 'God, that was close.'"
The word "God" is a one-syllable word with a strong, clear pronunciation. It is commonly spoken with an open "ah" vowel sound and a distinct "d" at the end.
The pronunciation starts with the hard "g" sound, similar to "go" or "give." The middle part contains the open "ah" vowel, as in "father" or "hot." The word ends with a soft "d" sound, where the tongue briefly touches the roof of the mouth before releasing.
Phonetic Pronunciation: /ɡɒd/
Here are some synonyms for "God," depending on its meaning:
The antonyms of "God" typically refer to a lack of divinity or supreme power:
Here are ten sentences using "God" in different contexts:
1. Many religions teach that there is only one God.
2. In Greek mythology, Zeus is the king of the gods.
3. She worshipped her favorite singer like a god.
4. Oh my God! I can’t believe this is happening!
5. He thanked God for his good fortune.
6. Ancient civilizations built temples to honor their gods.
7. The idea of God varies across different cultures and beliefs.
8. Many people turn to God in times of crisis.
9. For the love of God, please listen to me!
10. She considers nature to be her form of God.
Google Ngram Viewer shows that 'god' has been one of the ten most common nouns in English print for centuries. While its relative share declines a little after 1960, it remains far more frequent than synonyms like 'deity', reflecting its cultural prominence.
There are several variations of "God" used in different contexts:
Here are some words closely related to "God":
The word "God" originates from Old English god, which comes from the Proto-Germanic word gudan. It is related to the Old High German "got" and Old Norse "goð." The word was used to describe deities and supreme beings in early Germanic traditions before being adapted into Christian and monotheistic concepts. Over time, "God" became the primary term for the divine being in English.
Several words derive from or are related to "God":
Here are some common spelling mistakes for "God":
Here are some idioms that include or relate to "God":
1. What does "God" mean?
"God" refers to a supreme being in monotheistic religions, a deity in polytheistic beliefs, or someone or something idolized for power or influence.
2. Is "God" always capitalized?
"God" is capitalized when referring to the monotheistic supreme being, but it is lowercase when referring to general deities or figurative uses.
3. What is the plural of "God"?
The plural is "gods," used when referring to multiple deities in polytheistic religions such as Hinduism or Greek mythology.
4. How is "God" used in everyday language?
Beyond religious use, "God" appears in idioms, expressions of surprise or emphasis, and in describing highly admired people or things.
5. What is the difference between "God" and "god"?
Capitalized "God" refers to the monotheistic supreme being, while lowercase "god" refers to a deity in a polytheistic religion or a figurative idol.
6. What is a synonym for "God" in religious contexts?
Synonyms include "Lord," "Creator," "Almighty," "Divine Being," and "Supreme Being," depending on the religious tradition.
7. Can "God" be used as an exclamation?
Yes, "God" is often used in expressions like "Oh my God!" or "Good God!" to express strong emotions such as surprise, frustration, or excitement.
8. What does "act of God" mean?
An "act of God" is a legal term referring to natural events, such as storms or earthquakes, that are beyond human control.
9. What does "God forbid" mean?
"God forbid" is an expression used to hope that something undesirable does not happen, such as "God forbid we run out of food."
10. What does "thank God" mean?
"Thank God" is an expression used to express relief or gratitude, such as "Thank God we arrived safely."
"God" is a term that holds great significance in religious, philosophical, and cultural discussions, referring to a supreme being, deity, or someone idolized for power or influence. Understanding the different meanings and uses of "God" helps in interpreting religious texts, expressions, and everyday language. Expanding knowledge of words and their meanings enhances communication and comprehension in various contexts.
