What does godless mean?
Godless is an adjective with two closely related but distinguishable meanings. At its most literal, it describes someone or something that has no belief in God or any deity: an atheistic or irreligious position. In older, religious, literary, and political usage, godless can also suggest moral wickedness, irreverence, or the absence of religious values. This second sense often depends on the speaker's viewpoint and may function as a forceful criticism rather than a precise description. The word is more than a neutral synonym for atheist in many contexts, since it can imply moral judgment as well as a lack of faith. Its usefulness lies in this double force: it can evoke both the rejection of religious belief and the perceived loss of moral order. The related noun godlessness names the condition or quality of being godless, while godlessly describes an action performed in that manner.
adjectiveHaving no belief in God or in any deity; atheistic. In a traditional or literary sense, it can also mean morally wicked or lacking reverence for God.
- Having no belief in God or in any deity; atheistic.
- Lacking reverence for God or moral principles; wicked or evil.
"The novel explores what it means to live in a godless world."
"The novel explores what it means to live in a godless world."
"The sermon warned that a society without faith would become godless and cruel."
Godless has two sharp edges: it can describe a rejection of religious belief, or a rejection of moral principles.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does godless come from?
The word is a compound of God and the suffix -less, meaning “without.” English inherited God from Old English gōd, a Germanic word, and godless developed in English during the early modern period. Related forms such as godly and godlike share the same religious root, while the adjective also acquired a figurative sense meaning immoral or wicked.
Related word forms
How godless is actually used
When used for lack of religious belief, godless can sound more literary or dismissive than atheist, which is generally a neutral description of a person's beliefs. Its second sense is more judgmental and is common in religious, literary, and political contexts.
Easily confused with godless
Godless means lacking belief in God or moral reverence, while a goddess is a female deity.