divinity
C1formal, academic, religious
Definition
Meaning
the state or quality of being divine; the nature of God or a god.
A divine being, especially a god or goddess; the study of religion and God (theology); a sweet, often custard-like dessert, such as divinity fudge.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word can refer to the abstract quality of being divine, a concrete divine entity (a god), or the academic discipline (divinity/theology). In American culinary contexts, it's a specific type of confection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'divinity' is almost exclusively used in religious/theological contexts. In the US, it additionally refers to a specific type of fluffy, white nougat candy.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with theology and the divine. US: Can carry the above religious connotations, but also a nostalgic, homely connotation when referring to the candy.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English due to the dual meaning (religious + culinary). In UK English, it's primarily an academic/religious term.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive] + divinity (e.g., Christ's divinity)the divinity of + [noun phrase] (e.g., the divinity of the emperor)study/practise divinityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[touch of] divinity (an exceptional, god-like quality)”
- “a divinity in the details (play on 'the devil is in the details', suggesting sacred perfection)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Common in religious studies, theology, and philosophy departments (e.g., 'He lectures in Divinity at Cambridge').
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation, except in religious communities or referring to the US candy.
Technical
Specific term in theology for the nature of God/gods.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (no verb form)
American English
- N/A (no verb form)
adverb
British English
- N/A (no adverb form)
American English
- N/A (no adverb form)
adjective
British English
- N/A (noun only). The adjectival form is 'divine'.
American English
- N/A (noun only). The adjectival form is 'divine'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ancient Greeks believed in many divinities.
- She felt a sense of divinity in the old church.
- The doctrine of Christ's divinity is central to the Christian faith.
- He decided to study divinity at university.
- Philosophers have long debated the compatibility of human free will with an omniscient divinity.
- The subtle divinity of the light in the painting evoked a profound spiritual response.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'DIVINE' + '-ity' (a state or quality). It's the state of being divine.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVINITY IS HEIGHT/ABOVENESS (e.g., 'ascend to divinity', 'higher power').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'божественность' (divineness) and 'божество' (deity). 'Divinity' as a field of study translates as 'богословие' (theology). The candy has no direct translation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'divinity' to mean 'fate' or 'destiny' (that's 'providence'). Confusing 'divinity' (noun) with 'divine' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'divinity' be LEAST likely to appear?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In academic contexts, especially in the UK (e.g., 'Faculty of Divinity'), they are often synonymous. More broadly, 'theology' is the study of God/religion, while 'divinity' can also mean the quality of being divine.
Yes, 'divinities' is the plural form, used to refer to multiple gods or goddesses (e.g., 'Greek and Roman divinities').
It is a traditional American confection made from sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, and nuts, known for its light, fluffy, and often white texture.
Yes, when referring to a specific divine being or god (e.g., 'Apollo was a powerful divinity in Greek myth'). It is less common to use the indefinite article for the abstract quality.