noun
-
the act or process of exalting to the position of a god
-
the state or condition of being deified
Other Word Forms
- hyperdeification noun
Etymology
Origin of deification
1350–1400; Middle English deificacion < Late Latin deificātiōn- (stem of deificātiō ), equivalent to deificāt ( us ) (past participle of deificāre; deific ( us ) deific + -ātus -ate 1 ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Deification is when a person is treated like a god. If you love your basketball coach so much that you build her an altar and bow whenever she walks by, that’s deification. And a little weird. This word is a variation of deify which means to treat someone like a deity (a god). Deification is treating a mere mortal as someone godly. Often, this word is used negatively. For example, enthusiastic fans of someone could be accused of deification by non-fans. Someone must be considered extremely impressive to be the object of deification. This word is related to Latin deus (god).
Vocabulary lists containing deification
The Souls of Black Folk
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Reality Check," Vocabulary from the short story
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Island of Doctor Moreau
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Sidestepping the deification of his subject, Mr. O’Meara humanizes Prefontaine in his vexing contradictions, buoyant spirit and brutal competitiveness.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2025
The deification of our jazz dead is stunning to behold that way.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2025
Julius Caesar seems to have intended to be worshiped as a god in his lifetime, and later emperors may have been aware of this plan because many routinely pushed for deification during their own reigns.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
And its rigid hierarchy and customs do not mesh well with the deification of liberty and individualism that permeate U.S. culture.
From Washington Post • Mar. 30, 2023
With his remarks on our heresy regarding the deification of ancestors I have above attempted to deal, owning he is quite right—we do not believe in deified ancestors.
From West African studies by Kingsley, Mary Henrietta
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.
