German edit

Etymology edit

From Middle High German gotlōs. By surface analysis, Gott (God) +‎ -los (-less)

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈɡɔtˌloːs/
  • (file)

Adjective edit

gottlos (strong nominative masculine singular gottloser, comparative gottloser, superlative am gottlosesten)

  1. (often derogatory) godless, ungodly, not believing in God and/or disrespecting his commandments
  2. (by extension, derogatory) evil, diabolic, reprobate
    • 2015, Angela Merkel, Chancellor’s Speech at the 8th Integration Summit, 17th November 2015[1]:
      Aber in diesem Jahr fällt es uns wohl allen schwer, einfach zur Tagesordnung zurückzukehren, nachdem wir am letzten Freitag erfahren mussten, wozu menschenverachtende und gottlose Terroristen fähig sind.
      But this year we may all find it difficult to just go back to business as usual, after we had to learn last Friday what inhuman and godless terrorists are capable of.
  3. (youth slang) bad, pathetic, terrible
    Alter, lass ma' gehn! Die Musik is' so gottlos hier!
    Mate, let's leave! The music in here is just pathetic!

Usage notes edit

  • Though usually derogatory in all uses, especially that for "evil" may be deemed offensive by atheists. The even broader slang use originated among immigrant communities, but it is now widely heard, often with a humorous overtone.

Declension edit

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit

  • gottlos” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • gottlos” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon