What does god mean?
God is principally a noun for a deity or other supernatural being, especially a divinity worshipped as supreme. In English religious writing, God is often capitalised when referring to the deity of Christianity or another monotheistic faith, while lowercase god is commonly used for deities within polytheistic traditions and for people or things treated as godlike. The word can describe a person who is idolised, feared, or credited with extraordinary power, as in expressions such as “the god of the family.” In the plural, gods can denote a group of deities or, figuratively, the forces of fate or circumstance: “the gods had other plans.” God also functions as an uncommon informal verb meaning to regard or treat someone as a god. Because the term is central to theology, philosophy, literature, and everyday metaphor, it carries both strongly religious associations and a broader cultural significance.
A deity or supernatural being, especially one worshipped or regarded as supreme; also, a person or thing treated as godlike.
"The ancient temple was dedicated to the god of the sea."
Capitalisation is conventional in references to the deity of Christianity and other monotheistic religions, but usage varies by religious and stylistic context.
Informally, to regard, admire, or treat someone or something as a god.
"The audience godded the young violinist after the concert."
This verb is informal and relatively uncommon.
The plural can refer to multiple deities, to people or things regarded as godlike, or figuratively to fate or circumstance.
"The gods had other plans."
English inherited its word for a deity from a common Germanic ancestor, so related languages still preserve close relatives such as German Gott and Icelandic guð.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does god come from?
The word descends from Old English gōd, inherited from Proto-Germanic *gudą. Its Germanic relatives include Old Norse goð, German Gott, and Icelandic guð, illustrating the survival of a shared inherited term for a deity. In modern English, capitalisation distinguishes the conventional reference to the God of monotheistic religions from the more general word for a deity or a godlike person.
Related word forms
How god is actually used
The capitalised form God is conventional when referring to the deity of Christianity and other monotheistic religions, though practices vary by context and religion. Lowercase god is used for many deities and for figurative comparisons. The verb is informal and relatively uncommon.
Easily confused with god
God means a deity or godlike being, whereas good means morally excellent or of a high standard.