deify

[ dee-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, de·i·fied, de·i·fy·ing.

1. to make a god of; exalt to the rank of a deity; personify as a deity:

   to deify a beloved king.

2. to adore or regard as a deity:

   to deify wealth.

deify

/ ˈdiːɪˌfaɪ; ˈdeɪɪ- /

verb

1. to exalt to the position of a god or personify as a god
2. to accord divine honour or worship to
3. to exalt in an extreme way; idealize

Derived Forms

• ˈdeiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• dei·fier noun
• half-dei·fied adjective
• hyper·dei·fy verb (used with object) hyperdeified hyperdeifying
• self-dei·fying adjective
• un·dei·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deify¹

1300–50; Middle English deifien < Old French deifier < Late Latin deificāre. See deification, -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of deify¹

C14: from Old French deifier, from Late Latin deificāre, from Latin deus god + facere to make

Example Sentences

Trump is now deifying the Jan. 6 terrorists as "political prisoners" and heroes.

From Salon

There was even a time when even George W. Bush was practically deified.

From Salon

But rather than commune with Marika, his deified mother, Miquella wants to escape the strictures and expectations of her Golden Order.

From New York Times

In a culture that deifies celebrities, Williams remains one whose memory is often invoked with affectionate nostalgia, accompanied by some of his better movie quotes, or from one of his stand-up sets.

From Salon

"The child would become deified and worshipped for generations as the villagers' intermediary with the gods".

From BBC

Related Words

• idealize