What does godlikeness mean?
Godlikeness is an uncommon noun denoting the state or quality of being godlike. It refers to an appearance or quality so exalted that it resembles divine perfection: exceptional authority, beauty, composure, power, or moral excellence may possess godlikeness. The word can be used in religious contexts, but it is usually figurative and does not necessarily claim that the person or thing described is divine. Its lofty tone makes it appropriate chiefly to formal, literary, or reflective writing rather than casual conversation. The term is related to but not identical with godliness, which more specifically concerns religious devotion or moral righteousness. Godlikeness emphasizes resemblance to a divine ideal, while godliness emphasizes religious or moral character. Because the word is relatively uncommon, it often lends a deliberately elevated or grandiose tone to a sentence and may suggest idealization, awe, or critical exaggeration depending on context.
nounThe state or quality of being godlike, especially a degree of excellence, beauty, authority, or moral character regarded as divine.
- The state or quality of resembling God or an ideal of divine excellence.
"The young pianist performed with such godlikeness that the audience sat in rapt silence."
"Her calm authority lent every decision an almost supernatural godlikeness."
"The novel's portrayal of its flawed leader resists the godlikeness traditionally accorded to public figures."
The plural is grammatically possible but rarely used because the word is uncommon and usually refers to a single abstract quality.
"The novel compares the saint's different expressions of godlikenesses."
Two English roots—god and like—combine to suggest resemblance to the divine, while the suffix -ness turns that idea into an abstract noun.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of godlikeness
Godlikeness is formed in English from godlike plus the noun-forming suffix -ness. Godlike combines the Old English word gōd, meaning "God," with like, whose older English roots convey resemblance or likeness. The suffix -ness likewise comes from Old English and is used broadly in English to form abstract nouns from adjectives.
How godlikeness is actually used
Formal and literary rather than everyday. It has a lofty, idealized tone and may describe bearing, authority, beauty, or moral character without implying that the subject is literally divine.
Easily confused with godlikeness
Godliness primarily means religious devotion or moral righteousness, whereas godlikeness means the quality of resembling God or possessing godlike excellence.