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godson

[ god-suhn ]

noun

  1. a male godchild.


godson

/ ˈɡɒdˌsʌn /

noun

  1. a male 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 godson1

before 900; Middle English; Old English godsunu. god, son
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Example Sentences

Juggling her baby godson on her knee - her extended family is all in the camp at the disused Rex Cinema - she gives the appearance of a much older woman.

From BBC

The godson and a childhood friend of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay have been convicted of his murder in New York City more than two decades ago.

From BBC

Jordan, 40, who was Mizell’s godson, has said through his lawyers that he was elsewhere when the shooting happened and has alibi witnesses.

A court has heard that Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay was shot dead more than two decades ago by his godson as revenge for being cut out of a drug deal.

From BBC

Robbie Smith said her adult godson’s mother had to read him the birthday and Christmas card messages she wrote to him in cursive.

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More About Godson

What does godson mean?

A godson is a boy who’s the godchild of one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with his 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.

Godsons are often related to their godparents (a boy might be his aunt’s godson, 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 godson.

Where does godson come from?

Godson is an old word, with the first records of its use coming from before 900. 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 godson?

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

 

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

 

How is godson used in real life?

The word godson 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 godson!

Is godson used correctly in the following sentence?

I try to be a good godmother by always sending my godson something for his birthday.

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