godmother

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablereligion

   A woman who takes a special part in a child's religious welcome ceremony and promises to support the child's growth and faith.

   Grammar: Often used with of or to: she is godmother to my daughter.

   Patterns

   • godmother to someone
   • godmother of someone

   My aunt agreed to be godmother to my newborn daughter.

   The godmother held the baby during the christening.

   He still sends cards to his godmother every birthday.

2. 2nouncountable

   A woman who looks after a younger person informally, giving them guidance, gifts or help, like a second parent.

   Grammar: Often applies even when there was no ceremony: she was like a godmother to me.

   Patterns

   • a godmother to someone

   Mrs. Lin was a godmother to the whole neighborhood, always ready with advice.

   My mother's best friend acted as a godmother to me when I moved to the city.

3. 3nouncountablefigurative

   A woman seen as the founder or most important influence in a movement or field.

   Grammar: Used figuratively with of: the godmother of modern punk.

   Patterns

   • the godmother of something

   Critics call her the godmother of modern detective fiction.

   She is widely seen as the godmother of the local arts scene.

Word forms

Common combinations

fairy godmother

A fairy godmother appears in the story to help Cinderella.

be godmother to

She was godmother to all three of her friend's children.

ask someone to be godmother

They asked her sister to be godmother.

proud godmother

The proud godmother watched her goddaughter graduate.

the godmother of

She is called the godmother of the movement.

Synonyms and how they differ

sponsor

This is the general word for someone who takes responsibility at a baptism, whereas godmother is specific to a woman in that role.

mentor

This describes someone who guides a person's career or skills, but unlike a godmother it need not be a family or religious tie.

patron

This is someone who supports with money or influence, and it is not tied to a child or a ceremony.

matriarch

This describes a respected older woman who leads a family or group, which is more about power than about being a guide.

Word family

godfather noun

the male equivalent of a godmother

godparent noun

a godmother or godfather

goddaughter noun

a girl for whom someone is godmother or godfather

godson noun

a boy for whom someone is godparent

Commonly confused: godmother or stepmother?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “godmother”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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