Definition

1. Noun:
   • A female sponsor at a baptism: A godmother is a woman who promises to help guide a child's religious upbringing and moral development, typically during a Christian baptism or christening ceremony.
   • A woman who acts as a patron or protector: In a broader, often secular sense, a godmother can be a woman who provides special support, guidance, or patronage to a person, project, or institution.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Her aunt agreed to be the baby's godmother.
  • The ceremony required the presence of both a godfather and a godmother.
  • She is considered the godmother of the local arts scene for her decades of support.

Advanced Usage

• "Fairy godmother": A kind, magical female character in fairy tales who grants wishes or provides help, often used metaphorically.
  • She felt like a fairy godmother when she gave him the money to start his business.
• "Stand godmother to someone": To act as a godmother for someone.
  • She was honored to stand godmother to her best friend's daughter.

Variants and Related Words

• Godparent (n): A general term for a godfather or godmother.
• Godchild (n): The child for whom one is a godparent.
• Goddaughter (n): A female godchild.
• Godson (n): A male godchild.

Synonyms

• Sponsor: A person who assumes responsibility for another person or a project.
• Patron: A person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause.
• Guardian: A person who protects or defends something; in legal contexts, one who has the care of a child.

Related Phrases

• "Godmother figure": A woman who serves as a mentor or protector.
  • The professor was a godmother figure to many young scientists.

Related Idioms

• "Talk of the devil (and he shall appear)" / "Speak of the devil": This idiom is sometimes humorously adapted to "Talk of the godmother..." when the person being discussed arrives unexpectedly.
  • We were just talking about you! Talk of the godmother!

Noun

1. any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism