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godparent
[ god-pair-uhnt, -par- ]
noun
- a godfather or godmother.
godparent
/ ˈɡɒdˌpɛərənt /
noun
- a person who stands sponsor to another at baptism
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Word History and Origins
Origin of godparent1
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Example Sentences
The godparent of one of the victims said Monday the family has not yet decided whether to speak publicly.
In other words, it was unthinkable for a godparent to a future king to be anything other than a titled member of the aristocracy.
In other words, it was unthinkable for a godparent to a future king to be anything other than a titled member of the aristocracy.
William is already believed to have asked his friend Guy Pelly, a nightclub promoter, to be a godparent.
Pelly, 31, is said to have been the first name confirmed to be a godparent for Prince George.
This ceremonial over, each child accompanies his godparent to his home, where a choice meal is served.
Agafya Fedosyevna was not Ivan Nikiforovitch's relative, nor his sister-in-law, nor even his fellow-godparent.
“John honly,” said the godparent, putting in an “h” where it was not needed.
The thought has been a pleasant one to me, though I have not the faintest idea what my ancient godparent wrote.
A person invited to act as godparent should not refuse without good reason.
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Related Words
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More About Godparent
What does godparent mean?
A godparent is a person who has pledged to help with the upbringing of a child, 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.
Godparents are often related to their godchildren (an aunt might be her nephew’s godmother, 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 godchildren.
Where does godparent come from?
The first records of the word godparent come from around 1700. Godmother and godfather are much older—both are first recorded before 1000. 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 words that share a root or word element with godparent?
What are some words that often get used in discussing godparent?
How is godparent used in real life?
The word godparent is especially associated with the relationship that’s made official during the Christian ceremony of baptism, but it’s also used in nonreligious contexts.
I just realized I still have to pick godparent(s) for my baby. 🙃
— halee 🤍 (@HaleeJ) August 16, 2020
pleased to announce I’ve been asked to be a godparent for the first time by a wonderful family in my parish 🥰
— cam the indulgence man✝️™️ (@catholiccam17) August 14, 2020
Imagine someone asking you to be their kids godparent. That’s a big deal and a lot of pressure
— Kiyya (@stay_turntt) August 14, 2020
Try using godparent!
Is godparent used correctly in the following sentence?
I try to be a good godparent by always sending my goddaughter something for her birthday.
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