What does deity mean?
A deity is a god or goddess — a divine being believed to possess supernatural powers and to be worthy of worship. The word appears most often in discussions of religion, mythology, and theology: scholars speak of the deities of ancient Egypt, Hindu devotees honour particular deities within a larger tradition, and philosophers debate the nature of deity itself. Beyond referring to individual gods, 'deity' can also denote divinity as an abstract quality — the state of being divine. It carries a formal, somewhat elevated tone compared to the more ordinary word 'god', which makes it especially common in academic and literary contexts. Related terms include the verb 'to deify', meaning to treat someone or something as a god, and 'divinity'. Because so many cultures across history have recognised gods of one kind or another, 'deity' remains a central term for describing humanity's religious imagination.
A god or goddess; a divine being regarded as an object of worship.
"The temple was built in honour of a deity worshipped throughout the region."
Divine nature, status, or character; the quality of being a god.
"Some theologians distinguish between Christ's humanity and his deity."
The standard plural 'deities' is used freely when discussing multiple gods across any mythological or religious tradition.
"Hinduism recognises many deities, each representing different aspects of the ultimate reality."
English borrowed 'deity' from Latin 'deitas', a word coined by Christian writers who needed a term for divine nature — and it's the root behind both 'deify' and 'divine'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of deity
The English word 'deity' derives from the Latin 'deitas', meaning 'divine nature', itself formed from 'deus', the Latin word for god. Latin 'deus' ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *deiwos-, associated with brightness and sky, which also underlies related terms such as 'divine', 'deify', and 'divinity'. 'Deity' entered English during the Middle French-to-early modern period, arriving via Old French 'deité'. Its cognates across Romance languages include French 'divinité' and Italian 'divinità'.
Related word forms
How deity is actually used
'Deity' is a formal or neutral register word, common in religious studies, theology, mythology, and academic writing; 'god' is more everyday. In monotheistic contexts it may be capitalized when referring to the one God. The plural 'deities' is standard and widely used when discussing polytheistic traditions.
Easily confused with deity
'Deity' is a noun meaning a god, while 'deify' is a verb meaning to worship or treat someone as a god.
A 'ditty' is a short simple song, whereas a 'deity' is a god — the words differ in meaning entirely despite similar spelling.