godfather
/ˈɡɑdfɑðɚ/
UK: /ˈɡɒdfɑːðə/
godfather
English
Noun Top 7,034
American (Lessac)
(medium)
Female
0.9s
American (Amy)
(medium)
Female
1.1s
American (Ryan)
(medium)
Male
0.9s
Ad
Definition
A man present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner; a male godparent who sponsors the baptism of a child.
Etymology
From Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder (“godfather”), equivalent to god- + father. Cognate with Old Saxon godfadar (“godfather”), Middle Dutch godvader (“godfather”), Danish gudfader, gudfar (“godfather”), Swedish gudfader, gudfar (“godfather”), Icelandic guðfaðir (“godfather”).
Example Sentences
- "The man often touted as the godfather of AI has quit Google, citing concerns over the flood of misinformation, the possibility for AI to upend the job market, and the “existential risk” posed by the creation of a true digital intelligence."
- "“They are trying to kill the messenger with the bad news, it’s crazy,” said Dr James Hansen, known as the godfather of climate science and previously director of Giss for more than 30 years."
- "[…]recalls Henrik Stiesdal, sometimes known as the “godfather” of the wind industry for his influential turbine inventions […]."
Ad