Vocabulary Spotlight
Deify
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To treat or worship someone or something as a god; to exalt to a godlike status.
“The fans seemed to deify the actor, admiring everything he did as if he were flawless.”
Pronunciation
[dee-uh-fahy]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Exalt
Glorify
Revere
Adore
Antonyms
Disparage
Demean
Belittle
Criticize
Related Words
Divine (adjective)
Idol (noun)
Word Origin
“Deify” originates from the Latin “deificare,” meaning “to make a god.” It combines “deus” (god) with “-ficare,” a root meaning “to make.”
Word Family
Noun: Deification – The act of treating someone as a god.
Adjective: Divine – Related to godly qualities or characteristics.
Mnemonics
Think “deify” as “defy the ordinary” – to make someone or something so revered it’s like a god.
Industry-specific Usage
Entertainment
In entertainment, celebrities are sometimes deified by fans, viewed as flawless icons.
Religion
In religious contexts, deification refers to formally worshipping a person or figure as divine.
History
Historically, certain rulers were deified, such as Roman emperors who were worshipped as gods.
In Context
“Deify” often reflects an excessive admiration or worshipful treatment of someone or something, common in contexts like fandom, politics, or religion. It underscores the power of perception in attributing god-like qualities.