godfather
Male christening sponsor
A godfather is a man who sponsors a child at baptism, traditionally pledging to oversee their religious upbringing.
The role extends figuratively to any powerful patron or mentor.
The Godfather popularized its use for a mafia boss, and the term now often implies someone who originated or dominates a field: the godfather of soul, the godfather of punk.
To godfather something is to sponsor or shepherd it.
Put on attire
- bossWorkplace superior
- capoString-shortening clamp device
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
Corleone · omertà · Cosa Nostra · crime family · mobster · made man · syndicate · Brando
Leader or instruction book
- advisorOne who gives guidance
- counselorOne who advises
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- protégéPerson guided by expert
guidance · influence · elder · sage · teacher · sponsor · benefactor · advocate
Ceremony naming a child
- godmotherFemale baptismal sponsor
- godchildBaptism sponsor's charge
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
blessing · sponsor · font · holy water · church · priest · minister · baptismal
One who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- supporterOne who backs another
- backerFinancial supporter
- philanthropistDonor to charitable causes
donor · financier · underwriter · investor · angel investor · contributor · promoter · endorser
Assess relative likeness
- compadreIntimate male companion
- godparenthoodRole of baptismal sponsor
- kinshipState of being related
- spiritual kinshipNonphysical closeness between people
don
Put on attire
- bossWorkplace superior
- capoString-shortening clamp device
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
underboss · Corleone · omertà · Cosa Nostra · crime family · mobster · made man · syndicate · Brando · Pacino
guide
Leader or instruction book
protégé · guidance · influence · elder · sage · teacher · sponsor · benefactor · advocate · champion
christening
Ceremony naming a child
- godmotherFemale baptismal sponsor
- godchildBaptism sponsor's charge
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
sacrament · blessing · sponsor · font · holy water · church · priest · minister · baptismal · confirmation
benefactor
One who gives aid
philanthropist · donor · financier · underwriter · investor · angel investor · contributor · promoter · endorser · guarantor
compare
Assess relative likeness
- compadreIntimate male companion
- godparenthoodRole of baptismal sponsor
- kinshipState of being related
- GodfatherCorleone, Michael Corleone, Vito Corleone, Don Corleone, Fredo
- father figuresdad, daddy, papa, pop, pops
- baptismchristening, infant baptism, adult baptism, water baptism, immersion
- godparentsgodparents, godmother, godchild, godson, goddaughter
- organized crimemafia, mob, the mob, syndicate, crime syndicate
- spiritual kinshipgodmother, godchild, godson, goddaughter, compadre
godfatherbiological father
Male progenitor by blood
birth father · natural father · biological parent · godchild · godson
godfatherunderling
Person of lower rank
foot soldier · lackey · henchman · subordinate · soldier
- The GodfatherIconic mob trilogy
- godfather of soulFunk founder's honorific title