demigod

noun demi·god \ ˈde-mē-ˌgäd \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of demigod

1 : a mythological being with more power than a mortal but less than a god

2 : a person so outstanding as to seem to approach the divine

the demigods of jazz

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See demigod defined for kids

Recent Examples of demigod from the Web

Most teams, especially ones with glitzy high-round draft picks, are strictly ride or die with their demigod QBs.

— carlos monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "Can Detroit Lions follow Eagles' blueprint and win Super Bowl?," 6 Feb. 2018
Tokyo Olympiad is the masterpiece of the Criterion set, a film that treats its athletes like people rather than demigods, that sees the Games as a spiritual rebirth for the country after World War II.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "One Hundred Years of the Olympics in Film," 23 Feb. 2018
North Korea bans all outside religion, viewing Christianity in particular as a threat to the regime’s personality cult, which elevates the leaders to the status of demigods.

— anna fifield, Washington Post, "While Korean tensions ease, 3 Americans remain ‘prisoners of war’ in the North," 23 Feb. 2018
In Indian scripture, hijra, kinner or third-gender people were regarded as demigods and played an important advisory role in royal palaces in centuries past, while the Koran acknowledges that God created ambiguities in gender.

— kashmira gander, Newsweek, "India’s Only Gay Prince Is Opening His Palace Up as an LGBT Sanctuary," 1 Feb. 2018
Even Chris Hemsworth, who makes a living as a cape-wearing, hammer-wielding demigod, concedes that the image of a modern military leader rolling into battle on horseback makes for a curious spectacle.

— bryan alexander, Detroit Free Press, "‘12 Strong’ celebrates U.S. horse soldiers in Afghanistan," 17 Jan. 2018
One thing is for certain: With him and resident demigod Mike Trout in place, the once moribund Angels have become a must-watch team.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "Spring Training Is Here ... Even if it Feels Like the Offseason Never Started," 27 Feb. 2018
The new Fab Five — representing, like superheroes or demigods, five aspects of masculine attainment — take on a rehab case, nominated by a friend or family member.

— james poniewozik, New York Times, "Review: ‘Queer Eye’ Aims to Make America Gay(-Friendly) Again," 7 Feb. 2018
Demonstrating his considerable strength at an early age, the baby demigod strangled two serpents that Hera had placed in his cradle.

— kim sajet, Smithsonian, "The Ugliest Sculpture Ever, Says the Portrait Gallery’s Director," 26 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demigod.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of demigod

1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

DEMIGOD Defined for English Language Learners

demigod

noun

Definition of demigod for English Language Learners

: an extremely impressive or important person : a person who seems like a god in some way
: a person in mythology who has some of the powers of a god : a being in mythology who is part god and part human