godfather

B2 Topic:Family & Relationships

US /ˈɡɑːdˌfɑː.ðɚ/ UK /ˈɡɒdˌfɑː.ðə/ See IPA manual

Freq #6979

Meanings

1

noun
a male godparent who sponsors a child's baptism and traditionally supports the child's religious upbringing

Her godfather stood beside the family during the baptism.
2

noun
a man regarded as the founder, chief promoter, or influential mentor of a field or movement

The historian called him the godfather of modern photojournalism.
3

noun
a senior or powerful leader in a criminal organization, especially the Mafia

Prosecutors described the aging boss as the godfather of the crime family.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a male godparent who... godparent sponsor

2 noun · a man regarded as the... founder pioneer mentor patron

3 noun · a senior or powerful leader... crime bossdonkingpin

Word family

Derived forms godfatherhoodgodfatherly

Related forms godchildgoddaughtergodmother godparent godson

Etymology

From Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder, literally god + father, for a man who sponsors a child's baptism and spiritual upbringing. The later senses for an influential founder, patron, or crime boss extend the ideas of paternal guidance, sponsorship, and authority.

Topics

Family & Relationships

External links

# godfather

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈɡɑːdˌfɑː.ðɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈɡɒdˌfɑː.ðə/
**Frequency rank:** 6979

## Meanings
1. a male godparent who sponsors a child's baptism and traditionally supports the child's religious upbringing
2. a man regarded as the founder, chief promoter, or influential mentor of a field or movement
3. a senior or powerful leader in a criminal organization, especially the Mafia

## Examples
- Her godfather stood beside the family during the baptism.
- The historian called him the godfather of modern photojournalism.
- Prosecutors described the aging boss as the godfather of the crime family.

## Synonyms
- godparent
- sponsor
- founder
- pioneer
- mentor
- patron
- crime boss
- don

## Derived Forms
- godfatherhood
- godfatherly

## Related Forms
- godchild
- goddaughter
- godmother
- godparent
- godson

## Etymology
From Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder, literally god + father, for a man who sponsors a child's baptism and spiritual upbringing. The later senses for an influential founder, patron, or crime boss extend the ideas of paternal guidance, sponsorship, and authority.

## Topics
- Family & Relationships

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