goddess
Americannoun
-
a female god or deity.
-
Also called Triple Goddess. Goddess. (in Neopaganism) a triune female deity whose individual forms represent the different phases of life and growth.
-
a woman of extraordinary beauty and charm.
-
a greatly admired or adored woman.
a domestic goddess who hosts lavish dinner parties.
noun
-
a female divinity
-
a woman who is adored or idealized, esp by a man
Gender
See -ess .
Other Word Forms
- goddesshood noun
- goddessship noun
- supergoddess noun
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
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!
Reading: Literature - Mythology - Introductory
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!
Reading: Literature - Mythology - Middle School
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.
Some fans praised Roan's style, describing her as "a goddess" and "an icon" in response to her own Insta post.
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026
Legend has it that the royals are descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu and can trace their lineage back thousands of years, but their divine status was renounced after World War II.
From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026
When I finally nailed a roast chicken — buttered and oiled, stuffed with lemon wedges and hunks of onion and fennel — I felt like a goddess.
From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025
During Tutankhamun's lifetime, for instance, people in Crete were linked to the so-called "poppy goddess" in clearly ritualistic settings.
From Science Daily • Dec. 18, 2025
She’d hoped saying so might make the goddess smile; instead, the look on Badwa's face turned sadder still.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
