deity

noun

de·​i·​ty ˈdē-ə-tē  ˈdā- 

plural deities

1

a

: the rank or essential nature of a god : divinity

b

capitalized : god sense 1, supreme being

2

: a god (see god entry 1 sense 2) or goddess

the deities of ancient Greece

3

: one exalted or revered as supremely good or powerful

such established American deities as Daniel Boone, Kit Carson

—J. D. Hart

the deities of the banking world

Synonyms

• god

Examples of deity in a Sentence

to the ancient Greeks, Zeus was the deity who ruled over the sky and weather, and Poseidon was god of the sea

we prayed to the Deity for guidance

Recent Examples on the Web

When a deity threatens to destroy the Underworld, Prince Sloth must leave his beloved enchanted library and hunt down the Book of Nightmares, an artifact with the ability to destroy worlds. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 18 July 2025

Experts think this phrase may be a reference to a powerful female deity, but the origins of her name remain a mystery. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025

For the costumes, Hoffman said she was inspired by the play’s description of Cleopatra as a kind of goddess, with elements of Isis as represented in ancient art, while drawing freely from Ancient Egyptian representations of deities and royalty. —Joshua Barone, New York Times, 12 May 2025

The selection process is not clearly defined, but involves interpreting spiritual signs, turning to the Dharma protectors—Buddhist deities—and consulting the heads of Tibetan Buddhist traditions. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deitee, from Anglo-French deité, from Late Latin deitat-, deitas, from Latin deus god; akin to Old English Tīw, god of war, Latin divus god, dies day, Greek dios heavenly, Sanskrit deva heavenly, god

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for deity

• contemporaneity
• heterogeneity
• inhomogeneity
• homogeneity
• simultaneity
• spontaneity

Kids Definition

deity

noun

de·​i·​ty ˈdē-ət-ē 

plural deities

1

a

: divinity sense 2

b

capitalized : god sense 1

the Deity

2

a

: god sense 2

b

: goddess sense 1

Etymology

Middle English deitee "the nature of being divine," from early French deité (same meaning), derived from Latin deus "god" — related to adieu, adios