noun
colossus
kuh-LOS-uhs
Colossus (noun) means a statue of enormous size, especially referring to famous ancient examples like the Colossus of Rhodes. Example: “The ancient colossus once stood at the harbor entrance, said to tower over passing ships.”
noun
1
A statue of enormous size, especially referring to famous ancient examples like the Colossus of Rhodes.
"The ancient colossus once stood at the harbor entrance, said to tower over passing ships."
2
A person or thing of enormous size, power, or influence.
"The company grew into a colossus of the tech industry."
How to use colossus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or someone) of gigantic size or towering influence.
Common pairings
a colossus of
towering colossus
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Word forms
- Plural
- colossi, colossuses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ancient _____ once stood at the harbor entrance, said to tower over passing ships.
Etymology
From Latin colossus, from Greek kolossos, "giant statue" — most famously the Colossus of Rhodes.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “colossus” mean?
The word “colossus” means a statue of enormous size, especially referring to famous ancient examples like the Colossus of Rhodes. In plain terms, something (or someone) of gigantic size or towering influence.
How do you pronounce “colossus”?
“Colossus” is pronounced kuh-LOS-uhs (/kəˈlɑ.səs/ in IPA).
How do you use “colossus” in a sentence?
Here is “colossus” used in a sentence: “The ancient colossus once stood at the harbor entrance, said to tower over passing ships.”
What part of speech is “colossus”?
“Colossus” is a noun.
Where does the word “colossus” come from?
The word “colossus” comes from Latin. From Latin colossus, from Greek kolossos, "giant statue" — most famously the Colossus of Rhodes.
How many meanings does “colossus” have?
“Colossus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a statue of enormous size, especially referring to famous ancient examples like the Colossus of Rhodes.
