goddaughter
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What does goddaughter mean? A goddaughter is a girl who’s the godchild of one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with her 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.Goddaughters are often related to their godparents (a girl might be her aunt’s goddaughter, 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 goddaughter.
Etymology
Origin of goddaughter
before 1050; Middle English; Old English goddohtor; god, daughter
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 couple never had children of their own, but his goddaughter Helen Duncan lives in Fort William.
From BBC
Mr Owen said he was contacted by Johns' goddaughter in the United States, who wanted to find out where the actress' father was buried.
From BBC
She’s in L.A. for her goddaughter’s college graduation and wants Asian food.
From Los Angeles Times
Ms Coclough said she had tried to arrange a funeral for her goddaughter but the coroners refused to release the 10-year-old's body without parental consent.
From BBC
He meets his ambitious goddaughter Helena Shaw, an obnoxious thief looking to steal the Dial from a museum and sell it to the highest bidder.
From Washington Times
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.
