What does goddess mean?
A goddess is a female deity, especially in a major religion or mythology. The word commonly refers to figures such as Greek goddesses like Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis, and appears in expressions such as “Greek goddess” and “goddess of wisdom.” In figurative use, a goddess is a woman who inspires exceptional admiration, whether for her beauty, authority, achievement, or perceived perfection. This use is especially common in journalism, biography, advertising, and informal praise, and it can sometimes carry the implication that the woman is being idealized or placed on a pedestal. The word is used in both British and American English, with only minor differences in pronunciation. Its long history comes from an Old English formation meaning “female god,” while the related words god, godhead, and godlike reflect the same older religious root.
nounA female deity, especially one worshiped in a major religion or mythology. By extension, the word can refer to a woman who is greatly admired, idealized, or treated as exceptionally beautiful or powerful.
- A female deity in a religion or mythology.
- A woman who is highly admired, idealized, or regarded as exceptionally beautiful, powerful, or noble.
"The statue of the Greek goddess of wisdom stood at the entrance to the temple."
"The museum's centerpiece is a sculpture of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love."
"She became a goddess in the community after leading the campaign to protect the river."
The standard plural of goddess is goddesses, pronounced /ˈɡɒdəsɪz/ in British English and /ˈɡɑːdəsɪz/ in American English.
"The museum exhibition featured goddesses from several ancient cultures."
A goddess is not simply a female god: the word also captures the human tendency to elevate exceptional women into near-divine symbols of beauty, power, or perfection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does goddess come from?
Goddess derives from Old English goddesse, meaning “female deity,” formed from god and the Old English-derived suffix -esse, which marks a feminine or associated female form. The word appears in English by the early medieval period and continued the Germanic and Indo-European religious vocabulary associated with a divine or supreme being. Its relatives include god, godhead, godlike, and godless, all reflecting the same ancient religious root.
Related word forms
How goddess is actually used
The word is common in historical, religious, and mythological contexts. Its figurative use is often literary, celebratory, or idealized, and it may suggest that the woman is being treated as exceptional rather than simply as an ordinary person.