noun
Usage
What does godchild mean? A godchild is a person who has one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with their upbringing, 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. Godchildren are often related to their godparents (a boy might be his aunt’s godson, 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 godchild.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of godchild
Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at god, child
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 plot arrives with charming songs and dance but even a touch of terror courtesy of a delectable Evil Queen looking to kill her godchild with a poison apple.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 23, 2023
He and his son were currently living with his godchild across the street, but storm damage might force her to move out as well.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 5, 2021
"As a child I'd heard of Queen Victoria having a black godchild," says Janice Okoh, whose new play The Gift includes Bonetta's story, alongside a fictional modern-day black woman, also called Sarah.
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2020
Q. Don’t like my godchild: I’m the godparent to a kid named “Elizanthonius.”
From Slate ● Jun. 13, 2017
“My concern is for my godchild in there, not for you,” Olanna said.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Yulin is survived by his wife Kristen Lowman, son-in-law Ted Mineo, nephew Martin Crane and godchildren Marco and Lara Greenberg.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2025
Yeoh added that she felt blessed to also have a number of godchildren, nieces and nephews.
From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2024
And the maid of honor at his wedding — whose children are his godchildren — called him from the Barricks’ home Monday.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 11, 2023
He is survived by his wife, actress and acting teacher Caroline Ducrocq, as well as their godchildren Grace, Hamish and Chet.
From Fox News ● Jan. 30, 2022
The campesino goes off with his medicine, a couple of cigars, a few mints for the godchildren.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
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.
