great goddess: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Academic, Mythological, Neopagan/Religious
Quick answer
What does “great goddess” mean?
A term for a supreme, powerful, or most important female deity in a mythology or religion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term for a supreme, powerful, or most important female deity in a mythology or religion.
Often refers to a central, motherly, or creator deity in polytheistic or neopagan belief systems, such as Isis, Cybele, or Gaia. Can also be used metaphorically to denote a woman of extraordinary power, talent, or influence in a particular field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is dictated by context (classical studies, comparative religion, neopaganism) rather than regional variety.
Connotations
Same core mythological/religious connotations. In modern metaphorical use, might carry a slightly more formal or archaic tone in BrE.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “great goddess” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] the Great Goddessvenerate [as] the Great Goddessrefer to [X] as the Great GoddessVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great goddess” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ancient tribe was believed to great-goddess the spirit of the mountain. (Rare, possible neologism in fantasy)
American English
- The novel's plot involved a attempt to great-goddess the protagonist. (Rare, possible neologism in fantasy)
adjective
British English
- The great-goddess mythology of the region is fascinating. (Attributive noun compound)
American English
- She studied great-goddess archetypes in literature. (Attributive noun compound)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in archaeology, anthropology, religious studies, and classics to discuss prehistoric and ancient belief systems.
Everyday
Rare; might appear in discussions of mythology, history, or modern pagan practices.
Technical
A specific term in the study of comparative religion and goddess movements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great goddess”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great goddess”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great goddess”
- Using lower case ('great goddess') when it is a specific title.
- Using 'great' as a simple adjective of approval (e.g., 'She's a great goddess' meaning 'She's a fantastic actress').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to a specific deity by that title (e.g., 'the Great Goddess of Çatalhöyük'). In general descriptive use, it may be lower case (e.g., 'a great goddess in the pantheon').
In some modern neopagan and feminist spiritual contexts, it can refer to a singular, universal feminine divine principle. Historically, it usually referred to the supreme goddess within a specific cultural pantheon.
They often overlap. 'Mother Goddess' specifically emphasizes fertility, creation, and nurture. 'Great Goddess' is a broader term for supremacy, which may include warrior, wisdom, or death aspects beyond motherhood.
No, it is a specialized term. You will encounter it in academic, historical, or religious/spiritual contexts, but not in everyday conversation.
A term for a supreme, powerful, or most important female deity in a mythology or religion.
Great goddess is usually literary, academic, mythological, neopagan/religious in register.
Great goddess: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈɡɒd.ɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈɡɑː.dɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this compound term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'GREAT' (large and important) statue of a GODDESS in an ancient temple—she is the greatest of them all.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SUPREME BEING IS LARGE (Great). THE COSMOS/ EARTH/ LIFE IS A MOTHER (Goddess).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Great Goddess' LEAST likely to be used?