ungodly
gb/ʌŋɡˈɑdli/ us/ʌŋɡˈɑdli/
C1
English
embertelen, iszonyú, istentelen
C1
INFORMAL
1
embertelen
B2
Usage pattern:
at an ungodly [hour/time]
We had to leave at an ungodly hour to catch the first flight.
Embertelen órában kellett elindulnunk, hogy elérjük az első járatot.
She called me at an ungodly hour, so I thought something was wrong.
Embertelen órában hívott fel, ezért azt hittem, valami baj van.
The kids were up at an ungodly hour on Christmas morning.
Learner examples
I woke up at an ungodly hour today.
Ma embertelen órában ébredtem.
Our train leaves at an ungodly hour.
A vonatunk embertelen órában indul.
Common mistake:
Learners may think it always means ‘not religious’; in everyday speech it often just means ‘ridiculously early/late’.
Meaning
at a very unreasonable time
Collocations
an ungodly hour
|at an ungodly hour
|some ungodly hour
|wake up at an ungodly hour
|leave at an ungodly hour
|arrive at an ungodly hour
Synonyms
ridiculous (Common informal alternative; less vivid.)
|
unreasonable (More neutral and less humorous.)
Antonyms
reasonable (Opposite of inconvenient or extreme timing.)
|
civilized (Often used humorously as the opposite in this context.)
Themes
time
|daily_life
|travel
Definition
very early or very late in a way that is annoying
(Of a time, especially an hour) very early, very late, or otherwise inconvenient in a way that feels unreasonable.
C1
INFORMAL
2
iszonyú
B1
Usage pattern:
an ungodly [amount/price/sum/noise]
They charged an ungodly amount for such a small room.
Iszonyú összeget kértek egy ilyen kis szobáért.
The landlord wants an ungodly sum for a tiny studio.
A főbérlő iszonyú összeget kér egy apró garzonért.
The band made an ungodly noise during soundcheck.
Learner examples
This phone costs an ungodly amount of money.
Ez a telefon iszonyú sok pénzbe kerül.
The party made an ungodly noise.
A buli iszonyú zajt csapott.
Common mistake:
Often used as exaggeration; it usually does not literally refer to religion.
Meaning
extremely large or excessive
Collocations
an ungodly amount
|an ungodly sum
|an ungodly price
|an ungodly profit
|an ungodly mess
|an ungodly noise
|ungodly expensive
|ungodly hot
|ungodly early
Synonyms
enormous (Neutral; focuses on size rather than exaggeration.)
|
ridiculous (Highlights that it feels too much.)
|
outrageous (Adds a sense of complaint or shock.)
Antonyms
modest (Opposite in size/degree.)
|
reasonable (Opposite of excessive or too much.)
Themes
quantity
|money
|daily_life
Definition
extremely big or too much
Very great in amount, degree, or intensity; excessive.
C1
LITERARY
3
istentelen
C1
Usage pattern:
ungodly [deeds/acts/behavior]
The preacher condemned the gang’s ungodly violence.
A prédikátor elítélte a banda istentelen erőszakát.
The story follows an ungodly ruler who ruins his kingdom.
A történet egy istentelen uralkodót követ, aki romlásba dönti a királyságát.
She described the scam as an ungodly betrayal of trust.
Learner examples
He was punished for his ungodly acts.
Istentelen tetteiért megbüntették.
They called the crime ungodly.
Istentelennek nevezték a bűntettet.
Common mistake:
In this sense it is stronger than ‘bad’ and often sounds dramatic or literary.
Meaning
morally very bad or evil
Collocations
ungodly deeds
|ungodly acts
|ungodly behavior
|ungodly cruelty
|ungodly lust
|ungodly violence
Synonyms
evil (Direct and common; less religiously colored.)
|
wicked (Often moralistic; can also be playful in other contexts.)
|
sinful (More explicitly tied to religious ideas of sin.)
Antonyms
virtuous (Opposite in moral character.)
|
righteous (Opposite with a moral/religious flavor.)
Themes
morality
|religion
|crime
Definition
very bad and immoral
Morally very wrong; wicked or evil.
C1
FORMAL
4
istentelen
C1
Usage pattern:
ungodly [person/ways]
In the pamphlet, modern society is blamed for becoming ungodly.
A röpirat a modern társadalmat teszi felelőssé azért, hogy istentelenné vált.
His relatives considered him ungodly because he never went to church.
A rokonai istentelennek tartották, mert soha nem járt templomba.
The regime portrayed its opponents as ungodly and dangerous.
Learner examples
Some people called him ungodly.
Néhányan istentelennek nevezték.
She grew up in an ungodly household.
Istentelen családban nőtt fel.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with ‘godless’: ‘ungodly’ can also mean ‘excessive’ in informal speech.
Meaning
not religious or impious
Collocations
ungodly person
|ungodly people
|ungodly ways
|ungodly generation
Synonyms
irreligious (Neutral, more modern and less moralizing.)
|
impious (Formal; suggests lack of proper religious respect.)
|
godless (Often more direct and sometimes harsher.)
Antonyms
devout (Opposite in religious commitment.)
|
pious (Opposite in showing religious devotion.)
Themes
religion
|society
Definition
not believing in God or not respecting religion
Not showing belief in God or respect for religious values; impious.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ungodly
IPA
GB/ʌŋɡˈɑdli/
US/ʌŋɡˈɑdli/
Syllables & stress
un - godly (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (godly)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ungodly
Expressions
at an ungodly hour
1/ˈæt ən ʌŋɡˈɑdli ˈaʊɚ/
idiom
informal
very early or very late
at a very early/late time
Examples
- We set off at an ungodly hour to avoid traffic.
- He showed up at an ungodly hour, waking the whole house.
- The call came at an ungodly hour, so I answered immediately.
Learner examples
- I left home at an ungodly hour.
- They arrived at an ungodly hour.
at ungodly o'clock
1/ˈæt ʌŋɡˈɑdli oʊklˈɑk/
fixed phrase
informal
at a ridiculously early time
at a very early/late time (joking)
Examples
- I was at the airport at ungodly o'clock this morning.
- She starts her shift at ungodly o'clock every day this week.
- We were on the road at ungodly o'clock to beat the holiday traffic.
Learner examples
- I got up at ungodly o'clock.
- We left at ungodly o'clock.