godsend
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of godsend
1805–15; earlier God's send, variant (by influence of send 1 ) of God's sond or sand, Middle English Godes sand ( sand Old English: message, service)
Explanation
A godsend is something very lucky or helpful — some event or item for which you're incredibly thankful. If you don't have time for breakfast and forget to bring your lunch to school, your friend's extra slice of pizza is a godsend. If you're grateful for something, you can call it a godsend. A school snow day is a godsend if you're not quite ready for your chemistry midterm, and your homeowner's insurance is a godsend when a huge tree falls on your roof. In both of these examples, you are relieved and happy, and if you're a believer, you might say, "Thank God." In Middle English, it's Godes sonde, "gift from God."
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.
"This treatment was an absolute godsend," he added.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
For people who have been living inside this phenomenon, an outsider’s fresh perspective is a godsend.
From Salon ● May 30, 2026
Australia's ban has been widely hailed as a godsend for parents sick of seeing children glued to their phones.
From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026
As someone who doesn’t live near any family, I know that good neighbors can be a godsend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
“To have Provis for an upper lodger is quite a godsend to Mrs. Whimple,” said Herbert, “for of course people in general won’t stand that noise. A curious place, Handel; isn’t it?”
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
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.
