godson

[ god-suhn ]

noun

1. a male godchild.

godson

/ ˈɡɒdˌsʌn /

noun

1. a male godchild

Word History and Origins

Origin of godson¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English godsunu. god, son

Example Sentences

Darren Baker says that Jackson, a Cal assistant and Dusty’s godson, helped him slip away from his dad’s long shadow.

From Washington Post

As for my godson, I completely adored him—just like every other white lady who ever saw him.

From The Daily Beast

When my godson Trey was a toddler growing up in Brooklyn, every white woman who saw him fell in love with him.

From The Daily Beast

Wonderful news from the British think tank Policy Exchange: They have appointed the brilliant Dean Godson as their new director.

From The Daily Beast

They included both William Davenant, a godson of Shakespeare and Sir John Suckling, the inventor of the card game cribbage.

From The Daily Beast

My godson and I wrote a note of congratulations and slipped it under her door.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Godson opposed the measure; and Mr. Charles Buller delivered a clever speech in its support.

From Project Gutenberg

President de Thou paid his godson a visit during which he showed himself most fatherly.

From Project Gutenberg

"I should not be surprised at it—with him," Godson answered.

From Project Gutenberg

I gave it also to my godson, a little rascal who would be about your age now, and whom I have sought in vain in Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

And the next morning the old man set out in his carriage with his dear godson.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Godson

What does godson mean?

A godson is a boy who’s the godchild of one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with his upbringing, especially in a religious way.

In some denominations of Christianity, when a child is baptized, they are sponsored by (usually two) adults who pledge to help in this way. Those adults are the child’s godparents, and the child is their godchild.

Godsons are often related to their godparents (a boy might be his aunt’s godson, for example), but they don’t need to be.

Godparents also often pledge to become the godchild’s guardian if needed (in the event that the child’s parents die).

These terms are all sometimes applied outside of a religious context—parents may choose close relatives or friends to act as godparents for their children without any religious aspect to the relationship.

A godparent can still refer to their godchild with that term even after the child becomes an adult.

Example: Some people are godparents in name only, but Kelly and Chris spend as much time as they can with their godson.

Where does godson come from?

Godson is an old word, with the first records of its use coming from before 900. Even though the word God is usually capitalized in the context of Christianity, it’s spelled lowercase in some general terms, such as godliness.

In some Christian denominations, people officially become godparents to their godchild at the child’s baptism by making specific pledges to assist with their religious upbringing. Some parents, though, choose godparents for their child simply by asking them to have a special presence in their godchild’s life (and often to act as the child’s guardians if something should happen to them). This may or may not involve a religious aspect.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for godson?

• godchild

What are some words that share a root or word element with godson? 

 

• God
• son
• goddaughter
• godson
• godparent
• godmother
• godfather
• grandson

What are some words that often get used in discussing godson?

 

• baptism
• sponsor
• nephew
• relationship
• guardian

How is godson used in real life?

The word godson is especially associated with the relationship that’s made official during the Christian ceremony of baptism, but it’s also used in nonreligious contexts.

MAMMA ANNA🥺❤️ can’t wait to meet my nephew/godson!!!!

— ☼ Jackie ☼ (@bikoti_bottom) August 16, 2020

Currently the kind of dirty/sweaty I can only get from running around with my favorite godson and his older brother.

— J Squared (@thismethere) May 27, 2018

I really want to b a good…no, a great Godmother to my Godson! He deserves all the good things the world has to offer. Nothing I won't do ❤

— CeCe (@_InChrist_) March 30, 2016

 

 

Try using godson!

Is godson used correctly in the following sentence?

I try to be a good godmother by always sending my godson something for his birthday.