godlier; godliest
godliness
noun
godly
adverb
archaic
god·li·ness
-dlēnə̇s,
-lin-
plural -es
: the quality, state, or condition of being godly: such as
a
: piety
especially
: earnest observance of religious duties and virtues
… men obsessed with an idea of godliness and personal purity … —
John W. Aldridge, Chronicles, October 1986
John W. Aldridge, Chronicles, October 1986 Cleanliness is next to godliness.
b
: the state or condition of being divine : godhood sense 2
By employing Biblical names for classes of persons in their society, the rulers of the Gileadean theocracy proclaim their godliness.—Charlotte Templin, Names, September 1993
Charlotte Templin, Names, September 1993Examples of godly in a Sentence
Adjective
She lived a godly life.
a godly and humble man who will be richly rewarded in the next world
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 12 June 2026
On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Dozens of boys say they were abused in a Christian scouting program that vowed to raise godly men.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 7 May 2026
But this new condominium features more than a godly cityscape.
—Michael Gross, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for godly
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Adjective
In late July, Robinson held a feast in his home in celebration of the Pilgrims’ mission to settle in America and create a godly community there.
—Literary Hub, 12 June 2026
On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Dozens of boys say they were abused in a Christian scouting program that vowed to raise godly men.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 7 May 2026
But this new condominium features more than a godly cityscape.
—Michael Gross, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for godly
Cite this Entry
“Godly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/godly. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
godly
adjective
god·ly
ˈgäd-lē 
also ˈgȯd-
godlier; godliest
: pious sense 1, devout
a godly person
godliness
noun
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