- 1God [singular] (not used with the) (in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) the being or spirit that is worshiped and is believed to have created the universe Do you believe in God? Good luck and God bless you. the Son of God (= Christ) Topic CollocationsReligionbeing religious
- believe in God/Christ/Allah/free will/predestination/heaven and hell/an afterlife/reincarnation
- be/become an agnostic/an atheist/a believer/a Buddhist/Christian/Hindu/Muslim, etc.
- convert to/practice a religion/Buddhism/Catholicism/Christianity/Islam/Judaism, etc.
- go to church/temple (= the synagogue)
- go to the local church/mosque/synagogue
- belong to a church/a religious community
- join/enter the Church/a convent/a monastery/the clergy/the priesthood/a religious sect/a cult
- praise/worship/obey/serve/glorify God
- attend/hold/conduct/lead a service
- perform a ceremony/a rite/a ritual/a baptism/the Hajj/a bar mitzvah/a bat mitzvah
- carry out/perform a sacred/burial/funeral/fertility/purification rite/the last rites
- go on/make a pilgrimage
- celebrate Christmas/Diwali/Easter/Eid/Hanukkah/Passover/Ramadan
- observe/break the Sabbath/a fast/Ramadan
- deliver/preach/hear a sermon
- lead/address the congregation
- say/recite a prayer/blessing
- preach/proclaim/spread the word of God/the Gospel/the message of Islam/a message
- study/follow the dharma/the teachings of Buddha
- read/study/understand/interpret scripture/the Bible/the Koran/the Gospel/the Torah
- be based on/derived from divine revelation
- commit/consider something heresy/sacrilege
- seek/find/gain enlightenment/wisdom
- strengthen/lose/question your faith
- keep/practice/abandon the faith
- save/purify/lose your soul
- obey/follow/keep/break/violate a commandment/Islamic law/Jewish law
- be/accept/do God's will
- receive/experience divine grace
- achieve/attain enlightenment/salvation/nirvana
- undergo a conversion/rebirth/reincarnation
- hear/answer a prayer
- commit/confess/forgive a sin
- do/perform penance
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- 2[countable] (in some religions) a being or spirit who is believed to have power over a particular part of nature or who is believed to represent a particular quality Mars was the Roman god of war. the rain god Greek gods see also goddess
- 3[countable] a person who is loved or admired very much by other people To her fans she's a god. see also goddess
- 4[countable] something to which too much importance or attention is given Money is his god. Idioms
- 1used to emphasize that you do not know something God knows what else they might find. “Where are they?” “Goodness knows.” Some people may find the use of God knows offensive.
- 2used to emphasize the truth of what you are saying She ought to pass the exam—goodness knows she's been working hard enough.
an event caused by natural forces beyond human control, such as a storm, a flood, or an earthquake
used when you are expressing anger and the fact that you are impatient For the love of God, tell me what he said!
used to emphasize what you are saying when you are surprised, shocked, or annoyed God, what a stupid thing to do! Some people find this use offensive.
used when you are leaving someone, to say that you hope they will be safe, etc. Goodnight, God bless.
used to say that you hope that something will not happen “Maybe you'll end up as a lawyer, like me.” “God forbid!” Some people find this use offensive.
used to say that you are afraid someone will be in danger or that something bad will happen to them God help us if this doesn't work. Some people find this use offensive.
used to show respect when you are talking about someone who is dead
a person who thinks that they are particularly good at something or who thinks that someone will find them particularly attractive He seems to think he's God's gift to women.
used to say that you hope that things will happen as you have planned and that there will be no problems I'll be back next week, God willing.
used to emphasize that what you are saying is true Honest to God, Mary, I'm not joking. Some people find this use offensive.
used especially in questions to show that you are angry, surprised, or shocked What in God's name was that noise? Where in the name of Heaven have you been?
a religious man, especially a priest or a minister
to behave as if you control events or other people's lives It is unfair to ask doctors to play God and end someone's life.
used to say that you very much hope or wish that something will happen Please God, don't let him be dead.
to make someone very frightened, especially in order to make them do something
used to swear that what you are saying is true, especially in a court of law
to use the words “God,” “Jesus,” etc. in a way that shows a lack of respect
used to say that you are pleased about something Thank God you're safe! “Thank goodness for that!” she said with a sigh of relief. Thanks heavens I've found my keys. Some people find the phrase thank God offensive.
used to say that you could easily have been in the same difficult or unpleasant situation that someone else is in
used after a verb to emphasize a particular hope, wish, etc. I wish to God you'd learn to pay attention! Some people find this use offensive.
Check pronunciation: god