What does demigod mean?
A demigod is a being of partially divine nature, most classically the offspring of a god and a mortal. The concept appears across many mythologies: Greek heroes such as Heracles and Achilles were born of divine parents yet remained subject to human suffering and death. By extension, English uses 'demigod' figuratively to describe a person who is admired, idolized, or treated with near-worshipful reverence, whether a celebrity, athlete, or political leader. In this figurative sense the word can be sincere but frequently carries a note of irony or gentle criticism, suggesting that the person's devotees have exaggerated their greatness. The word pairs the prefix 'demi-' ('half') with 'god', making its meaning transparent at a glance, which helps explain its enduring popularity in both mythology discussion and everyday hyperbole.
nounA being with partial or lesser divine status, typically the offspring of a god and a mortal. Also used figuratively for a person who is revered or admired to an almost godlike degree.
- A mythological being of partly divine origin, usually the child of a god and a human.
- Figuratively, a person regarded or treated as almost divine in stature.
"In Greek myth, Heracles was a demigod whose strength came from his divine father, Zeus."
"Achilles, son of the sea-nymph Thetis, was celebrated throughout Greece as a demigod."
"Fans treated the rock star like a demigod, hanging on his every word."
Standard regular plural; the feminine form 'demigoddess' exists but is rare.
"Ancient storytellers filled their epics with demigods who straddled two worlds."
Heracles was burned on a funeral pyre to strip away his mortal half — the ultimate demigod career move.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demigod
The word 'demigod' combines the French-derived prefix 'demi-' (from Latin 'dimidius', meaning 'half') with 'god'. It entered English in the late sixteenth century, when writers used it to translate classical figures of partly divine birth from Greek and Roman mythology. Its root connects it to words such as 'deity' and 'deify', all tracing back through Latin 'deus' to the ancient Indo-European word for god.
How demigod is actually used
The figurative sense often carries a hint of exaggeration or irony, implying that someone's admirers have elevated them beyond what is warranted.
Easily confused with demigod
A demiurge is a divine craftsman or creator figure in philosophy and Gnosticism, not a partly human offspring of a god.