deification

/ˌdiəfəˈkeɪʃən/

Other forms: deifications

Deification is when a person is treated like a god. If you love your basketball coach so much that you build her an altar and bow whenever she walks by, that’s deification. And a little weird.

This word is a variation of deify which means to treat someone like a deity (a god). Deification is treating a mere mortal as someone godly. Often, this word is used negatively. For example, enthusiastic fans of someone could be accused of deification by non-fans. Someone must be considered extremely impressive to be the object of deification. This word is related to Latin deus (god).

Definitions of deification

1. noun

   the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god)
   synonyms: apotheosis, exaltation

   type of:

   worship

   the activity of worshipping
2. noun

   an embodiment of the qualities of a god
   “the capitalists' deification of capital”

   type of:

   avatar, embodiment, incarnation

   a new personification of a familiar idea
3. noun

   the condition of being treated like a god
   type of:

   condition, status

   a state at a particular time