Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person, typically an infant, who is sponsored by an adult (a godparent) at a Christian baptism or christening: The godchild is the recipient of the godparent's spiritual guidance and support.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She is the proud godmother to three lovely godchildren.
  • At the baptism, the priest asked the godparents to make promises on behalf of their godchild.

Advanced Usage

• "Stand godparent/godfather/godmother to someone": To act as a godparent for a specific child.
  • He was honored to stand godfather to his best friend's son.
• The relationship is often lifelong, with the godparent taking a special interest in the godchild's upbringing and welfare.

Variants and Related Words

• Godparent (n): The adult sponsor at a baptism.
• Godson (n): A male godchild.
• Goddaughter (n): A female godchild.
• Godfather (n): A male godparent.
• Godmother (n): A female godparent.

Synonyms

• Charge: A person entrusted to the care of another (this is a broader, less specific term).
• Protégé(e): A person who is guided and supported by an older, more experienced person (this term is not specific to a religious context).

Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no common phrasal verbs with "godchild," the word is central to the idiom:
  • To be someone's godchild: To have that specific sponsored relationship.

    • He has always felt a special bond with her, as he is her godchild.

Noun

1. an infant who is sponsored by an adult (the godparent) at baptism