godly

adjective

god·​ly ˈgäd-lē How to pronounce godly (audio)
godlier; godliest
1
: divine
2
godliness noun
godly adverb archaic

Examples of godly in a Sentence

She lived a godly life. a godly and humble man who will be richly rewarded in the next world
Recent Examples on the Web All demigods are said to have ADHD and dyslexia as a product of their godly parentage. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan. 2024 Many first-person novels read like pleas made to an imagined court, one of public or godly opinion. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 For 12-year-old Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), who has always felt like an outsider, coming of age means godly encounters, foretold prophecies and cross-country quests. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 14 Dec. 2023 More elaborate rituals that involve adorning a godly statue can top $1,501. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Nov. 2023 For the hip-hop generation, sampled strings and horns and choirs were invoked and deployed like godly forces, brought in at the touch of a finger. Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2023 But swinging around the Stars and Stripes is not a godly nor a Latter-day Saint mission. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2023 In the Catholic Church, saints are thought to live near God in heaven, to intercede with God on behalf of believers, and to be exemplars of godly behavior. Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2023 Eddie’s godly talent also seemed greatly diminished in 2004, when the band half-heartedly reunited with its second vocalist, Sammy Hagar, a tour that ended with not only Hagar splitting permanently from the band but also original bassist Michael Anthony. Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune, 6 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'godly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of godly was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Godly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/godly. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

godly

adjective
god·​ly ˈgäd-lē How to pronounce godly (audio)
 also  ˈgȯd-
godlier; godliest
: pious sense 1, devout
a godly person
godliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on godly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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