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goddaughter

[ god-daw-ter ]

noun

  1. a female godchild.


goddaughter

/ ˈɡɒdˌdɔːtə /

noun

  1. a female godchild
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of goddaughter1

before 1050; Middle English; Old English goddohtor; god, daughter
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Example Sentences

Mr Owen said he was contacted by Johns' goddaughter in the United States, who wanted to find out where the actress' father was buried.

From BBC

Ms Coclough said she had tried to arrange a funeral for her goddaughter but the coroners refused to release the 10-year-old's body without parental consent.

From BBC

Others welcomed the occupation: Her goddaughter eagerly took Russian citizenship, as did some of her neighbors.

He meets his ambitious goddaughter Helena Shaw, an obnoxious thief looking to steal the Dial from a museum and sell it to the highest bidder.

She was the daughter of Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh - the last Sikh emperor of Punjab - and a goddaughter of Queen Victoria.

From BBC

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More About Goddaughter

What does goddaughter mean?

A goddaughter is a girl who’s the godchild of one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with her upbringing, especially in a religious way.

In some denominations of Christianity, when a child is baptized, they are sponsored by (usually two) adults who pledge to help in this way. Those adults are the child’s godparents, and the child is their godchild.

Goddaughters are often related to their godparents (a girl might be her aunt’s goddaughter, for example), but they don’t need to be.

Godparents also often pledge to become the godchild’s guardian if needed (in the event that the child’s parents die).

These terms are all sometimes applied outside of a religious context—parents may choose close relatives or friends to act as godparents for their children without any religious aspect to the relationship.

A godparent can still refer to their godchild with that term even after the child becomes an adult.

Example: Some people are godparents in name only, but Kelly and Chris spend as much time as they can with their goddaughter.

 

Where does goddaughter come from?

Goddaughter is an old word, with the first records of its use coming from before 1050. Even though the word God is usually capitalized in the context of Christianity, it’s spelled lowercase in some general terms, such as godliness.

In some Christian denominations, people officially become godparents to their godchild at the child’s baptism by making specific pledges to assist with their religious upbringing. Some parents, though, choose godparents for their child simply by asking them to have a special presence in their godchild’s life (and often to act as the child’s guardians if something should happen to them). This may or may not involve a religious aspect.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for goddaughter?

What are some words that share a root or word element with goddaughter

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing goddaughter?

 

How is goddaughter used in real life?

The word goddaughter is especially associated with the relationship that’s made official during the Christian ceremony of baptism, but it’s also used in nonreligious contexts.

 

 

Try using goddaughter!

Is goddaughter used correctly in the following sentence?

I try to be a good godmother by always sending my goddaughter something for her birthday.

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Goddard, Robert H.Godden