godfather

god-fa-ther · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A man who sponsors a child at baptism and promises to help with their religious upbringing.

  2. 2.

    The leader of a criminal organization, especially the Mafia.

  3. 3.

    A person who is influential in founding or developing a movement or field.

Forms

plural: godfathers

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    an offer you can't refuse — Associated with fictional godfather characters; an offer backed by implied threat
  • •
    godfather of [something] — The founder or most influential figure in a field

Related words

See also: godmother, godparent, patron, sponsor
Synonyms: mentor, patron, sponsor

Etymology

From Old English godfæder, a compound of god ("God") + fæder ("father"). The term originally referred only to the baptismal sponsor role.