God of the gaps

proper noun

A God whose existence is put forward as an explanation for anything as yet unexplained by science.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. A God whose existence is put forward as an explanation for anything as yet unexplained by science.

    2007, "Worried about my future family." Axismundi, July 2007, Internet Infidels Discussion Board. With every new discovery, the 'god of the gaps' has fewer places to hide.

Origin

Attributed to Charles Coulson (1910−1974), though the concept was discussed significantly earlier.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

God of the gaps. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/God%20of%20the%20gaps

MLA

“God of the gaps.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/God%20of%20the%20gaps. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “God of the gaps,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/God%20of%20the%20gaps.

Source: God of the gaps on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.