goddess

noun god·dess \ ˈgä-dəs also ˈgȯ- \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of goddess

1 : a female god

2 : a woman whose great charm or beauty arouses adoration

See goddess defined for English-language learners

See goddess defined for kids

Examples of goddess in a Sentence

a goddess of ancient Greece
The actress, who is already a goddess in her own country, is finally getting recognition here.

Recent Examples of goddess from the Web

The painting depicts the mythological figures of Apollo and Venus, the goddess of love, along with a cherub who may be her son Cupid.

— mercedes leguizamon and brandon griggs, CNN, "A forgotten painting in an Iowa closet turns out to be a 16th-century masterwork worth millions," 2 Apr. 2018
The word Easter itself probably derives from Eastre or Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and dawn.

— joy wallace dickinson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Spring fashion changes, but Easter eggs still roll," 1 Apr. 2018
Perhaps the most recognizable example of Classical Greek architecture, the Doric temple was built as a monument to the goddess Athena and was completed in 432 BC.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Watch 7 ancient ruins come to life before your very eyes," 23 Mar. 2018
Her globe-traveling zillionaire father (Dominic West) disappeared years ago while chasing down a Japanese goddess of death or some such.

— manohla dargis, New York Times, "Review: ‘Tomb Raider’ and the Perils of Blockbustering," 15 Mar. 2018
According to the legend, following a long winter, the goddess of spring, Eastre, turned a frozen bird into a snow hare that could lay colorful eggs.

— taysha murtaugh, Woman's Day, "'Do Bunnies Lay Eggs?' Is an Actual Question People Ask Google," 15 Feb. 2018
The singer subsequently squired screen goddesses including Ava Gardner.

— adam bernstein, Washington Post, "Vic Damone, popular 1950s crooner and nightclub star, dies at 89," 12 Feb. 2018
Some accounts describe these Thugs as belonging to a religious cult that worshipped the goddess of death and destruction and killed in order to please her.

— max kutner, Newsweek, "A Brief History of the Word ‘Thug’," 29 Apr. 2015
Dozens of other gods and goddesses fused religious identities until many prominent Catholic saints held a double meaning for thousands of worshippers.

— sarah betancourt, Longreads, "The Religion No One Talks About: My Search For Answers in an Old Caribbean Faith," 30 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of goddess

14th century

goddess Synonyms

Synonyms

beauty, beauty queen, cutie (or cutey), enchantress, honey, knockout, queen, stunner;

Related Words

belle, charmer, peach;

cover girl;

cutie-pie, dish, doll, looker, pretty;

coquette, femme fatale, siren, temptress;

GODDESS Defined for English Language Learners

goddess

noun

Definition of goddess for English Language Learners

: a female god (sense 2)
: a woman who is greatly loved or admired

GODDESS Defined for Kids

goddess

noun god·dess \ ˈgä-dəs \

Definition of goddess for Students

: a female god

Learn More about goddess

See words that rhyme with goddess Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for goddess Spanish Central: Translation of goddess Nglish: Translation of goddess for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of goddess for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goddess

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up goddess? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

goddess

Definition of goddess

Examples of goddess in a Sentence

Recent Examples of goddess from the Web

First Known Use of goddess

goddess Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

GODDESS Defined for English Language Learners

goddess

Definition of goddess for English Language Learners

GODDESS Defined for Kids

goddess

Definition of goddess for Students

Learn More about goddess

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

SCRABBLE® Sprint

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

goddess

Definition of goddess

Examples of goddess in a Sentence

Recent Examples of goddess from the Web

First Known Use of goddess

goddess Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

GODDESS Defined for English Language Learners

goddess

Definition of goddess for English Language Learners

GODDESS Defined for Kids

goddess

Definition of goddess for Students

Learn More about goddess

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes