deity

noun

de·​i·​ty ˈdē-ə-tē  ˈdā- 

plural deities

1

a

: the rank or essential nature of a god : divinity

b

capitalized : god sense 1, supreme being

2

: a god (see god entry 1 sense 2) or goddess

the deities of ancient Greece

3

: one exalted or revered as supremely good or powerful

such established American deities as Daniel Boone, Kit Carson

—J. D. Hart

the deities of the banking world

Synonyms

• divinity
• god

Examples of deity in a Sentence

to the ancient Greeks, Zeus was the deity who ruled over the sky and weather, and Poseidon was god of the sea

we prayed to the Deity for guidance

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on a classic Chinese myth and 16th-century novel, Investiture of the Gods, and following the 2019 original, Ne Zha 2 follows a young deity (Ne Zha) who defies destiny, wielding supernatural powers to defend his home from the Dragon King of the Four Seas. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025

Ancient Egyptians associated pleasant odors not only with cleanliness and purity, but the bodies of deities themselves. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2025

In the West African spiritual tradition of Vodou, one of its deities, Erzulie Dantor, wears blue clothes. —Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jan. 2025

Within these fantasy walls, Evie and her fellow players exist as conquerors and deities that reach stratospheric heights. —David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deitee, from Anglo-French deité, from Late Latin deitat-, deitas, from Latin deus god; akin to Old English Tīw, god of war, Latin divus god, dies day, Greek dios heavenly, Sanskrit deva heavenly, god

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

deity

noun

de·​i·​ty ˈdē-ət-ē 

plural deities

1

a

: divinity sense 2

b

capitalized : god sense 1

the Deity

2

a

: god sense 2

b

: goddess sense 1

Etymology

Middle English deitee "the nature of being divine," from early French deité (same meaning), derived from Latin deus "god" — related to adieu, adios