What does deifical mean?
Deifical is a rare, formal English adjective meaning 'that makes divine or godlike.' It describes anything credited with the power to confer divinity — rites, virtues, emotions, or creative forces. A critic might speak of the deifical impulse in Roman imperial cult practice, where ceremonies elevated living emperors into gods, or of the deifical role of love in Romantic verse, where passion raises the beloved above ordinary humanity. The word derives from Latin roots combining deus ('god') with facere ('to make'), placing it in the same family as deify, deific, and deification. Because it is uncommon outside scholarly and literary contexts, writers typically reach for it deliberately, seeking precision or elevated tone; plainer alternatives such as 'deifying' or 'divinizing' are usually available. Its connotation is lofty and reverential, though it can also be used ironically to mock excessive glorification of a person or idea.
adjectiveMaking divine or godlike; having the power or quality of deifying.
- That makes divine or godlike; having the effect of deifying someone or something.
"The poet attributed a deifical power to the imagination, which could raise mortals to the stature of gods."
"The ancient cult ascribed a deifical virtue to its rites, believing they could transform emperors into gods."
"In Romantic poetry, love is often granted a deifical force, lifting the beloved beyond mere humanity."
Rare enough that most dictionaries skip it, 'deifical' literally means 'god-making' — the adjective for whatever turns mortals into gods.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of deifical
Deifical comes from the Latin verb deificare, formed from deus ('god') plus the root of facere ('to make'), so it transparently means 'god-making.' English borrowed it through the same ecclesiastical and learned tradition that produced deify and deification, both attested from late Middle English onward. The word has remained a rare, bookish variant alongside these more common relatives, appearing chiefly in theological and literary prose.
Related word forms
How deifical is actually used
A rare and learned word, found mainly in theological, literary-critical, or historical writing about apotheosis and the attribution of divinity. It carries a formal, somewhat archaic register and should not be used casually where 'deifying' would serve.
Easily confused with deifical
Deific means 'of or relating to a god or deity' (describing something divine), while deifical means 'that makes divine' (describing something that confers divinity on another).