goddess

goddess — noun

1. a female being who is believed to have power over nature, life, and the universe

1.nounB1
Definition

a female being who is believed to have power over nature, life, and the universe, and is worshipped in religions or ancient myths

Example

The ancient Greeks worshipped Athena as the goddess of wisdom and war.

goddess + of + [domain] — states the realm the deity rules over

A marble statue of the goddess stood in the centre of the ruined temple.

statue of the goddess — common physical-object collocation

Common collocations
  • moon goddess
  • goddess of wisdom
  • goddess of the harvest
  • fertility goddess
  • goddess statue
Synonyms
  • deity

    broader term — covers any god or goddess, while 'goddess' specifies female

  • divinity

    more abstract; can refer to a divine being or divine quality, while 'goddess' is a concrete figure

Antonyms
  • god

    male equivalent

Grammar Patterns

goddess + of + noun phrase (domain)

Usage Note

Goddess is the feminine form of god. In modern English it is used mainly when discussing ancient religions, mythology, or a specific named female deity (e.g. Athena, Isis, Kuan Yin). It is less common in discussions of contemporary monotheistic religions.

Common Mistakes

The goddess showed herself to the villagers.' (too vague — which mythology?).
In Greek mythology, the goddess Demeter showed herself to the villagers.
Always name the mythology or religion so the reader knows the cultural frame.

2. an extremely attractive or talented woman who is deeply admired by many people —

2.nounB2
Definition

an extremely attractive or talented woman who is deeply admired by many people — for example, a famous singer worshipped by fans or a partner whom someone adores

Example

Heloísa's grandmother was the goddess of the kitchen, and nobody beat her pastries.

goddess of the [domain] — metaphorical use for extraordinary skill

Fans treated the young actress like a goddess, cheering wildly at every premiere.

Common collocations
  • screen goddess
  • style goddess
  • goddess of the kitchen
  • like a goddess
Synonyms
  • beauty queen

    more literal — refers to a winner of a beauty contest; 'goddess' is broader

  • stunner

    very informal, refers only to physical appearance; 'goddess' includes admiration beyond looks

  • idol

    focuses on being admired/loved, does not imply beauty; 'goddess' emphasises both admiration and attractiveness

Grammar Patterns

goddess + of + noun phrase (metaphorical)

Usage Note

Common in informal and poetic contexts. Often used with "goddess of [something]" to describe exceptional skill or beauty. Can sound exaggerated or old-fashioned in neutral speech — alternatives like "icon" or "star" are more neutral.

Common Mistakes

She is a goddess in the office.' (unidiomatic).
She is the office goddess for organising every event perfectly.
Use 'goddess of [domain]' or a modifier for natural phrasing.

Word family

  • god
    nounA2
  • godly
    adjectiveB2
  • godless
    adjectiveC1
  • godliness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe a woman who is admired, but they emphasise different things. Goddess (informal, metaphorical) suggests that someone combines extraordinary beauty with exceptional talent or skill — it carries a sense of near-worship from admirers. Beauty queen is more literal: it usually refers to someone who has won a beauty pageant, or can be used playfully for a friend who looks especially glamorous. Stunner is very informal and focuses almost entirely on physical appearance — it does not imply talent or deep admiration. Idol shifts the emphasis away from looks and onto devotion: an idol is someone fans adore, often a performer or public figure. If you want to highlight both beauty and remarkable ability, use goddess. For sheer physical attractiveness in casual speech, use stunner. For someone you look up to regardless of appearance, use idol.

goddess ↗beauty queenstunneridol ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • goddess of [domain/skill]
  • worship someone as a goddess

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Goddess comes from Middle English 'goddesse', formed from 'god' plus the feminine suffix '-esse' (from Latin '-issa', used to mark female counterparts). It was first recorded in the 14th century. Related forms exist in other Germanic languages, such as German 'Göttin'.