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Glite Dictionary
👩‍🍼 A baptism sponsor 🌟 A female mentor
godmother

godmother

13 3.7
A woman who supports and guides people or projects, often as a mentor
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɑːdˌmʌðər/
translation icon : madrina
  • My godmother blames the village getting too popular on Sex and the City, and I think she's right.
  • a fairy godmother
  • fashion's godmothers

I mean, she's the godmother of YouTube creation.

Examples

  • I mean, she's the godmother of YouTube creation.

    Dr. Mayim Bialik

  • "Stick to the task at hand," Godmother demanded.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • You shall call me Godmother.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • "Meet your fairy godmother," the master said.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • And we have the godmother of Providence in the house tonight.

    Death Drop Gorgeous (2021)

  • This was made possible by their fairy godmother, the great Diana Vreeland.

    Blog text (12)

  • Girl, Aretha Franklin's like my godmother.

    Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)

  • She's the one, the godmother, they call her the Griselda of Mayfair.

  • Most importantly, inspiring Roberta Williams, the godmother of graphic adventure gaming.

    Traceroute (2016)

  • Isabella is regarded as the godmother of independent film, mentoring many young directors.

Synonyms

fairy godmother
vsgodmother
2 4.6

A woman who gives money or help when someone needs it

offers long term influential support and mentorship rather than occasional aid

Antonyms

opponent
907 2.1

A person who competes against another in a game or argument

Compounds

fairy godmother
  • Literature
4 3.8

A woman in fairy tales who uses magic to help someone

fairy godmother
2 4.6

A woman who gives money or help when someone needs it

horse-godmother
9.9

A person at the stables who helps and teaches horse riders

How Supportive

benefactor
46 4.6
godmother
13 3.7
patron
61 3.5
to sponsor
362 3.7
supporter
817 1.0

Surface Forms

godmother singular
godmothers plural

Morphology

godmother = god + mother (semi-transparent) = god + mother

The secular/figurative sense (influential supporter or mentor) is a metaphorical extension of the literal compound, which may not be fully predictable for all learners.

Etymology

Godmother is also used in a non-religious way for a woman who acts as a 'supporter' or 'mentor' to a person, project, or movement, like a protective 'mother' who gives help and status. That's why a leading supporter can be called the godmother of a music scene or cause.