Godfather Meaning
/ˈɡɑdfɑðɚ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA man present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner; a male godparent who sponsors the baptism of a child.
nounSomeone who plays a key role in fostering the development of something.
Sentence Examples
He stood godfather to my first son.
My godfather gave me that red shirt.
My godfather gave me a watch as a gift.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the crime organization, he was the powerful ____ who gave orders.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He asked his closest friend to be the ____ to his newborn daughter during the official baptism ceremony.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder (“godfather”), equivalent to god- + father. Cognate with Old Saxon godfadar (“godfather”), Middle Dutch godvader (“godfather”), Danish gudfader, gudfar (“godfather”), Swedish gudfader, gudfar (“godfather”), Icelandic guðfaðir (“godfather”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The man often touted as the godfather of AI has quit Google, citing concerns over the flood of misinformation, the possibility for AI to upend the job market, and the “existential risk” posed by the creation of a true digital intelligence."
— 2023 May 2, Josh Taylor, Alex Hern, “‘Godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton quits Google and warns over dangers of misinformation”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"“They are trying to kill the messenger with the bad news, it’s crazy,” said Dr James Hansen, known as the godfather of climate science and previously director of Giss for more than 30 years."
— 2025 May 21, Oliver Milman, “Godfather of climate science decries Trump plan to shut Nasa lab above Seinfeld diner: ‘It’s crazy’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"[…]recalls Henrik Stiesdal, sometimes known as the “godfather” of the wind industry for his influential turbine inventions […]."
— 2026 January 13, Rachel Millard, Alice Hancock, Nic Fildes, “How the west fell behind in green tech”, in Financial Times, Big Read, page 15:
"Hull objected violently that aid had not been used to extract commitments on postwar economic policy; the joint chiefs had wanted bases; others in the military still wanted Britain to play only a minor, if any, role in the Pacific; and they were all apparently angry at the Treasury for godfathering the Quebec Agreement."
— 1996, Ann Lane, The Rise and Fall of the Grand Alliance, 1941–45, page 61:
"But months before, he'd agreed to godfather the premiere of The Godfather."
— 2006, Robert Evans, The Kid Stays in the Picture, page 5:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the crime organization, he was the powerful ____ who gave orders.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He asked his closest friend to be the ____ to his newborn daughter during the official baptism ceremony.