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Meaning & use

divine inspiration

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/dɪˌvaɪn ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃn/
US/dɪˌvaɪn ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃn/

Meanings

  1. noununcountablereligion

    The belief that a god or higher power guides a person to write, say or create something.

    Grammar: No plural or 'a': the text came from divine inspiration.

    Patterns

    • by divine inspiration
    • through divine inspiration

    Many believers say the scriptures were written through divine inspiration.

    The poet claimed the hymn came to her by divine inspiration.

    He credited divine inspiration for the design of the temple.

  2. noununcountablehumorousfigurative

    A sudden, brilliant idea that seems to come from nowhere.

    Grammar: Often humorous; no article: it struck me like divine inspiration.

    Patterns

    • a flash of divine inspiration
    • as if by divine inspiration

    Then, in a moment of divine inspiration, she thought to check the attic.

    The recipe came together as if by divine inspiration.

    I solved the puzzle with a burst of divine inspiration.

Common combinations

by divine inspiration
The monk believed the song was written by divine inspiration.
claim divine inspiration
Many ancient authors claimed divine inspiration.
a stroke of divine inspiration
The solution came in a stroke of divine inspiration.
receive divine inspiration
The prophet is said to have received divine inspiration.
seek divine inspiration
The artists gathered to seek divine inspiration before painting.

Synonyms and how they differ

revelation
Revelation suggests something hidden is made known, while divine inspiration is about being moved to create or speak.
epiphany
An epiphany is a sudden understanding and is not necessarily religious, unlike divine inspiration.
muse
A muse is a source of creative inspiration, often a person or poetic spirit, rather than a god.
brainwave
A brainwave is a clever idea with no religious sense, so it is more casual than divine inspiration.

Opposites

human invention

Word family

divine adjective
coming from or like a god
inspire verb
to fill someone with ideas or the urge to create
inspired adjective
showing excellent or unusual ideas
divinity noun
the quality of being divine, or a god

Commonly confused: divine inspiration or divine intervention?

divine inspiration vs divine intervention

Divine intervention means a god acting to change events, while divine inspiration means a god guiding someone's ideas.

Practice

The preacher said his sermon was not his own work but came from ___.

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