demigod
Americannoun
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demigods
plural
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a mythological being who is partly divine and partly human; an inferior deity.
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a deified mortal.
noun
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a mythological being who is part mortal, part god
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a lesser deity
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a person with outstanding or godlike attributes
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of demigod
1520–30; translation of Latin sēmideus. See demi-, god ( def. )
Explanation
A demigod is a divine mythological figure, a god who is either part human, or a minor god. In ancient Greece, dead heroes were sometimes thought of as demigods. Greek and Roman mythology have their share of demigods, and so do many other ancient religions and traditions. The half-divine Heracles, the son of a mortal woman and the god Zeus, is often described as one of the most important demigods in ancient Greece. The word demigod comes from the roots demi, "half," from the Latin dimidius, and god.
Vocabulary lists containing demigod
"The Hero’s Journey" and "Myths and Legends"
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UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #7
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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.
See Examples For:
The case has gripped Argentina, with some of his fans holding up signs outside of the Buenos Aires court demanding “Justice for God,” a reference to Maradona’s status as a demigod.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
Speaking of the 2016 film, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced the shapeshifter demigod and hero of men in the animated “Moana,” will also portray the live-action version of the arrogant trickster.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2025
Before he was a TV host or culinary demigod, Anthony Bourdain was a writer: sharp-tongued, sensual, and totally unafraid to follow a story wherever it led.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2025
Johnson, a 52-year-old ex-wrestler, voices the part of gregarious demigod Maui in the animation.
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2024
Being dyslexic is one mark of a demigod, but sometimes I really hate it.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
“A lot of people look at Ohio State like they’re demigods, like they’re unbeatable,” Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 1, 2026
"The difference is wrestlers think that they’re demigods, but they’re not. I know that because I was one of them," he said with a laugh.
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2024
They are demigods creating a new world, after all, so why should they have to deal with petty impediments like copyright law?
From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024
In place of demigods and antiheroes, women were his preferred orbit.
From New York Times ● Sep. 8, 2023
It made Jason wonder about the fauns back at Camp Jupiter—whether they could be like that if the Roman demigods expected more from them.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
