god
11 synonyms and 2 antonyms for god, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A supernatural being worshipped as having power over nature or human affairs.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use god
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English god, an ancient Germanic word originally neuter in gender before shifting to masculine as Christianity spread — it is not related to the unrelated word "good," despite the similarity.
Full origin of god →Frequently asked questions
What does “god” mean?
The word “god” means a supernatural being worshipped as having power over nature or human affairs. In plain terms, a supreme or divine being, worshipped as all-powerful; also used loosely for anyone treated as amazing at what they do.
How do you pronounce “god”?
“God” is pronounced god (/ɡɑd/ in IPA).
How do you use “god” in a sentence?
Here is “god” used in a sentence: “Ancient Greek myths feature many gods and goddesses.”
What is another word for “god”?
Words with a similar meaning to “god” include godship, deity, divinity, manitou, sky daddy and sky fairy.
What is the opposite of “god”?
The opposite of “god” — its antonyms — are devil and satan.
What part of speech is “god”?
Depending on how it is used, “god” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “god” come from?
The word “god” comes from Old English. From Old English god, an ancient Germanic word originally neuter in gender before shifting to masculine as Christianity spread — it is not related to the unrelated word "good," despite the similarity.
Is “god” a common word?
“God” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'god' and 'God'?
The lowercase 'god' is a common noun for any deity, especially one of many in polytheistic religions — such as a god of war or the sea. Capitalized 'God' is a proper name for the single supreme being in monotheistic faiths like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The capital letter marks that specific, named deity.
What is the difference between a god and a goddess?
The distinction is grammatical gender. A 'god' traditionally refers to a male deity, while a 'goddess' refers to a female one, such as the Greek goddess Athena. In many contexts 'god' is also used broadly to cover deities of any gender, much as 'gods' can describe a whole pantheon.
What is an example of a god?
Many cultures name specific gods. In Greek mythology, Zeus is the god of the sky and king of the gods; Poseidon rules the sea. Norse myth has Thor, god of thunder. In monotheistic religions, believers worship a single God rather than many, so the word takes the capitalized proper form.