The spelling of the word "godliness" can be explained through its IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "god" is pronounced with the velar stop consonant /ɡ/ followed by the vowel sound /ɒ/. The second syllable "li" is pronounced with the consonant sound /l/ and the vowel sound /ɪ/. Finally, the last syllable "ness" is pronounced with the consonant sound /n/ and the vowel sound /ɪ/. Together, the word is pronounced as /ˈɡɒd.lin.ɪs/.
A religious life; piety; the Christian Revelation, as, "Great is the mystery of godliness".
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "godliness" has its etymology rooted in Old English. It is derived from two Old English elements: "god" (meaning "god") and "-lic" (meaning "like, similar to"). "-ness" is a suffix that forms abstract nouns, indicating a state, condition, quality, or degree. Therefore, "godliness" can be understood as a quality or state of being like God or godly.