Do you know the definition of divine? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word divine, including its definition, usage, word origin, and more!
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Kevin
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August 11, 2021
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Common Questions
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What does the word divine mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word divine is an adjective that means relating to a God or deity, or supremely good or heavenly. This thing may literally or figuratively have the nature of a God, and have high worth or such surpassing excellence that it is godlike. The word divine is less commonly used as a verb to mean to discover or locate something by means of a divining rod, which can search for things in underground water. It can also be used as a verb to mean to predict, provide insight or conjecture by intuition or perception. Finally, divine can be used as a noun to refer to a priest, theologian, minister of the gospel, or holy clergy member or clergyman. The suffixes er, est, ness, ity, ly, ed and ing can be added to divine to form different parts of speech and tenses, like divinely (adj.).
Many things can be described as divine, since the word can be used in hyperbole to describe something so good, tis god-like. Someone might see a divine Shakespeare performance, and describe it as such because it was a terrific, inspired performance. A man of godlike sagacity who has the divine strength of Achilles might be described as divine.
Many different languages also contain words that mean divine. You may notice that many of these translations of divine look and sound similar to the word divine itself. These are called cognates, which are usually formed when two words of different languages have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations for the word divine is provided by Word Sense.
- Catalan: diví
- Swedish: andlig, gudomlig, helig, himmelsk
- French: divin (masc.), divine (fem.)
- Czech: božský
- Polish: boski
- Latin: divinus (masc.), divus (masc.), diva, diva (fem.), diva (fem.), divina (fem.)
- Finnish: taivaallinen, jumalallinen, taivainen
- Italian: divino (masc.), divina (fem.)
- Bulgarian: божествен
- Hindi: दैवीय
- Mandarin: 神的 (shén de)
- Portuguese: divino
- Slovene: božánski, božji
- Indonesian: ilahi
- Spanish: divino
- Lithuanian: dieviškas
- Lower Sorbian: bóžy, bogojski
- Danish: guddommelig
- Russian: боже́ственный, бо́жий
- Hebrew: אֱלֹהִי (elohi)
- Swahili: -a kimungu
- Hungarian: isteni
- Nynorsk: guddommeleg, guddomleg
- Turkish: ilahi
- Dutch: goddelijk
- Greek: θεϊκός (masc.), θείος (masc.)
- German: göttlich
- Bokmål: guddommelig
- Malay: tuhan, ketuhanan, ilahi, ilahiah
- Tagalog: binathala, dibino
There are also numerous different words and phrases that derive from the word divine. These are listed below, from Word Sense.
- divine ratio
- divine contentment
- undivine
- divinesse
- divine polity
- divine inspiration
- Divine Adoratrice of Amun
- divine intervention
- divine command theory
- indivine
- Divine Word Missionaries
- divine language
- divine countenance
- Divine Unity
- divine proportion
- all-divine
- undivinelike
- divine guidance
- Divine Liturgy
- divine afflatus
- divine grace
- divine kings
- Divine Mercy Sunday
- divine encounter
- divine judgement, divine judgment
- Feast of the Divine Mercy
- Divine Mind
- Divine Mystery
- Divine Office, divine office
- Gate of Divine Might, Gate of Divine Prowess
- divine will healing
- Mother Divine
- divine law
- divine service
- divine lady
- divine section
- subdivine
- divine kingship
- Revelation of Saint John the Divine
- divining rod
- The Church of God in Divine Order
- divineness
- countenance divine
- divine rule
- Divine Providence
- divine simplicity
- The Divine Comedy
- The Divine Praises
- Society of the Divine Savior
- divine messenger
- divine healing
- divine revelation
- The Church of Divine Science
- divine spark
- semi-divine, semidivine
- to err is human, to forgive divine
- argument from divine hiddenness
- divine fallacy
- divine move
- Divine Life Society
- Book of Divine Worship
- divine retribution
- divinely
- divine right
- Divine Mother
- divine praise
What is the origin of the word divine?
According to Etymonline, the adjective divine has been used since late 14c Middle English, and comes from the Old French devin and Old French divin, c12 words that come from the Latin dīvīnāre, from the Latin divinus/Latin dīvīnus and Old Latin divis/dīvus. These are related to the Latin deus and come from the Proto-Indo-European roots dyeu.
What are synonyms and antonyms of divine?
There are plenty of words and phrases that one could choose to use in place of the word divine (adj.) should they wish. These synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase, are useful to learn if you are trying to expand your vocabulary or if you are trying not to repeat yourself. This list of synonyms of divine is provided by Thesaurus.
- rapturous
- perfect
- celestial
- omnipotent
- deistic
- transmundane
- unearthly
- theistic
- splendid
- anointed
- religious
- holy
- omnipresent
- spiritual
- magnificent
- superhuman
- immaculate
- supernatural
- exalted
- mystical
- hallowed
- transcendent
- omniscient
- superlative
- consecrated
- deific
- excellent
- sacred
- marvelous
- blissful
- transcendental
- godlike
- sanctified
- almighty
- godly
- beatific
- wonderful
- supreme
- all-powerful
- sacrosanct
- eternal
- beautiful
- heavenly
- ambrosial
- angelic
- sacramental
- glorious
There are also plenty of words and phrases that have the opposite meaning as divine. These are called antonyms, which are another ebay way to learn more English words to add to your vocabulary. This list of antonyms of divine is also provided by Thesaurus.
- dishonest
- depraved
- ungodly
- immoral
- sacreligious
- corrupt
- guilty
- impious
- wicked
- culpable
- evil
- unhallowed
- heinous
- godless
- profane
- blameful
- irreligious
- irreverential
- base
- unholy
- sinful
- unsanctified
- iniquitous
- irreverent
- vile
Overall, the word divine means godlike or heavenly, or partaking of the nature of a god. This could refer to godlike powers like a supernatural power or it can be used in hyperbole of supreme excellence. Divine can also be used as a noun to refer to a priest or minister, or as a verb to refer to intuiting something or finding something with a divining rod in underground supplies of water.
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