godmother
/'gɔd,mʌðə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism