dea
[ˈde.a]feminine
The Latin word for goddess is dea. Wiktionary also lists dīva.
Meaning: female deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dea | [ˈde.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈdɛː.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
| dīva | feminine |
Both dea and dīva are used to refer to a female deity. When used as a proper name, such as Dea, it can refer to the single goddess of monotheism.
Which one should you use?
While dea is the standard term for a goddess, dīva is often used in a more elevated or formal sense to denote a divine being or a person of divine status.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or a relationship, such as 'the goddess of…', use the genitive singular form deae. When referring to multiple goddesses, the nominative plural form is deae.
Did you know?
- In Roman culture, some women were granted the title dīva after death through a formal process called 'divinization', effectively becoming goddesses of the state.
- While dea refers to a deity, the word diva in modern languages like Italian or English has evolved to mean a 'celebrity' or 'star', a descendant of the original Latin concept of a divine person.
- The root of dea is linked to the concept of 'daylight', sharing a common ancestor with the Latin word 'dies' for 'day'.
Examples in context
- Selena dea lunae est.Selene is the goddess of the moon.This sentence illustrates the use of dea to identify a goddess and her domain.Tatoeba #4164993 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #3148005 by Hybrid
- Illa a dea ipsa dux constituta est.She was appointed as the chieftain by the goddess herself.This sentence shows how dea can be used to emphasize that an action was performed by the goddess herself.Tatoeba #12387112 by soridsolid, translation #8683035 by sabretou
- Diana est pulchra dea lunæ et silvarum.Diana is the beautiful goddess of the Moon and the forest.This sentence uses dea to describe the beauty and domains of a specific goddess.Tatoeba #6883688 by carlosalberto, translation #6996366 by RudeGuyGames
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Lucius are visiting a temple.
- ClaudiaQuis est haec dea in templo?Who is this goddess in the temple?
- LuciusHaec dea est Venus.This goddess is Venus.
- ClaudiaEstne dea amoris?Is she the goddess of love?
- LuciusIta, Claudia, dea amoris est.Yes, Claudia, she is the goddess of love.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goddess” translations and entries dea, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
