divine

1 of 3

adjective

di·​vine də-ˈvīn 

diviner; divinest

1

religion

a

: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God (see god entry 1 sense 1) or a god (see god entry 1 sense 2)

divine inspiration

divine love

praying for divine intervention

b

: being a deity

the divine Savior

a divine ruler

c

: directed to a deity

divine worship

2

a

: supremely good : superb

The meal was just divine.

b

: heavenly, godlike

divinely adverb

divine

2 of 3

noun

1

religion : clergyman

a Puritan divine

2

religion : theologian

divine

3 of 3

verb

divined; divining

transitive verb

1

: to discover by intuition or insight : infer

divine the truth

2

: to discover or locate (something, such as underground water or minerals) usually by means of a divining rod

intransitive verb

1

: to seek to predict future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers : to practice divination : prophesy

2

: to perceive intuitively

Synonyms

Adjective

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Noun

• clergyperson
• cleric
• clerical
• clerk
• deacon
• dominie
• ecclesiastic
• minister
• preacher
• priest
• reverend

Verb

• anticipate
• forefeel
• foreknow
• foresee
• prevision

Choose the Right Synonym for divine

foresee, foreknow, divine, anticipate mean to know beforehand.

foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

Examples of divine in a Sentence

Adjective

They prayed for divine intervention.

how about a piece of the most divine apple pie I've ever tasted!

Noun

the great influence exerted by the Puritan divines in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Verb

divine the answer to a question

it was easy to divine his intention of asking his girlfriend to marry him

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Jockeying under a watchful Eye Amid widespread speculation over who will be the next pope, theologians say the faithful look at pre-conclave jockeying as a chance for the divine to intervene in human matters. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025

As a nice bonus, the blurring primer has a hint of tropical smell (from the coconut juice and cactus flower extract) that’s truly divine. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 2 May 2025

Noun

Ninigi brought with him three objects: a mirror, a jewel, and a sword—sacred objects that to this day are the imperial regalia of Japan, symbolizing the emperor’s connection to the divine. —Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025

For centuries the resinous sap—which, when dried and burned, was said to smell of the divine—was one of the most valuable commodities in the world. —Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025

Verb

Trump is pushing hard and fast for the Kremlin to agree to terms to end the war that Putin has clearly divined will improve, not worsen, over time. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025

Strategists often look at technical trends in stocks’ movements, such as their 200-day moving average, in an attempt to divine their future. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English divin, from Anglo-French, from Latin divinus, from divus god — more at deity

Noun

Middle English, from Medieval Latin divinus, from Latin, soothsayer, from divinus, adjective — see divine entry 1

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French deviner, from Latin divinare, from divinus, noun — see divine entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

Phrases Containing divine

• divine inspiration
• divine retribution
• divine right
• divine service

Rhymes for divine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

divine

1 of 3 adjective

di·​vine də-ˈvīn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or coming directly from God or a god

b

: being God or a god

the divine Savior

c

: directed to God or a god

divine worship

2

a

: extremely good : superb

b

: having godlike qualities

divinely adverb

divine

2 of 3 noun

: a member of the clergy

divine

3 of 3 verb

divined; divining

1

: to discover or understand something without reasoning

2

: to practice divination : prophesy

diviner noun