goddess
Americannoun
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a female god or deity.
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Also called Triple Goddess. Goddess. (in Neopaganism) a triune female deity whose individual forms represent the different phases of life and growth.
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a woman of extraordinary beauty and charm.
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a greatly admired or adored woman.
a domestic goddess who hosts lavish dinner parties.
noun
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a female divinity
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a woman who is adored or idealized, esp by a man
Gender
See -ess .
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of goddess
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; see origin at god , -ess
Explanation
In mythology, a goddess is a female god. Aphrodite, for example, is the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Many religions have female deities or goddesses, including the ancient Romans and Greeks, traditional African religions, and Hinduism. Some well-known goddesses include Juno, Gaia, and Lakshmi. If you know a woman who seems as beautiful, powerful, or amazing as a god, you can also call her a goddess. Using the word for mortals first came into fashion in the late 16th century.
Vocabulary lists containing goddess
World Religions
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Reading: Literature - Mythology - Introductory
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Reading: Literature - Mythology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Goddess of Liberty points to a hopeful future while clutching a waving flag in the weathervane, possibly made by Cushing & White, dated to 1865-75.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026
I ordered a Goddess Smoothie in Pasadena, and then I repeated this tradition at every store thereafter.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
There’s also crispy red rice and TJ’s Green Goddess Ranch Dressing, which is made from buttermilk, champagne vinegar, lemon, parsley, basil, green onion and chives.
From Salon • Aug. 22, 2025
At one in Bagha Jatin in south Kolkata, his mother Goddess looks more fierce than maternal.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2024
The Goddess of Love and Beauty knew very well where the most beautiful woman on earth was to be found.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
