Godlier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a heightened level of divinity or celestial essence
2. Demonstrating an increased degree of sanctity or moral excellence
3. Showing a greater devotion to religious beliefs or moral uprightness

Etymology: "Godlier" is simply the comparative of "godly," so its history is the history of "godly" with the comparative ending added. The base word traces back to Old English "god," the same root that gives English "God" and "good" in its older sense of divine or excellent. "Godly" was formed by adding the adjectival suffix "-ly," which in Old English was "-līc," meaning "having the form or quality of," so "godly" originally meant something like "god-like" or "having the quality of a god." The comparative "-ier" is a later English addition, used with two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y" like "heavier" or "lovelier." "Godlier" therefore means "more godly," describing someone whose devotion or uprightness exceeds another's. The form is less common than "more godly," which is why it can sound unusual to modern ears.

Synonyms: diviner, holier, more divine, more sacred, more heavenly

Antonyms: ungodly, sinner, more profane, more wicked, less holy