divinus
[diːˈwiː.nʊs]masculine
The Latin word for "divine" is divinus. If unsure, use divinus. Wiktionary also lists divus.
Meaning: of or pertaining to a god (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| divinus | [diːˈwiː.nʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [diˈviː.nus] (narrow) |
masculine |
| divus | [ˈdiː.wʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈdiː.vus] (narrow) |
masculine |
The adjective is used to describe things that are of or pertaining to a god. A related noun, Numen, refers to a divine or supernatural power that resides within something.
Which one should you use?
While both divinus and divus mean divine, divinus is more commonly used to describe qualities that are god-like or pertaining to the nature of a god. In contrast, divus was often used as a title for a deified human, such as a deceased emperor.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective divinus changes its ending to match the gender of the noun it describes: the feminine form is divina and the neuter form is divinum.
Did you know?
- The word divinus shares an ancient root with the English word 'sky'. Both stem from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to shine' or 'the bright heavens'.
- While divinus describes things that possess divine qualities, it can also be used to describe something that is simply exceptionally good or magnificent. This is how the word evolved into its English sense of 'excellent'.
- The word divus was used in a specific legal sense to designate an emperor who had been officially granted divine status by the Roman Senate.
Examples in context
- Iesus divinus non est.Jesus isn't divine.This sentence is useful for seeing how to negate the adjective divinus.Tatoeba #12392167 by rul, translation #8247831 by Amastan
- Deus est divinusGod is divine
- Ea habet numen divinumShe possesses a divine aura
- Locus ille est caelestisThat place is divine
- Locus divinus est.It is a divine place.
- Hic est spiritus divinus.This is a divine spirit.
Example conversation
Marcus and Julia are looking at a statue in a temple.
- MarcusVide hunc splendorem divinum!Look at this divine splendor!
- JuliaIta vero, Marce, pulchrum est.Indeed, Marcus, it is beautiful.
- MarcusCredisne potentiae eius?Do you believe in its power?
- JuliaCredo quia spiritus divinus est.I believe because it is a divine spirit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “divine” translations and entries divinus, divus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries divinus, divus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
