noun
Common
dragon
DRA-guhn
Dragon (noun) means a mythical, usually giant reptilian creature, often depicted breathing fire and guarding treasure in Western folklore. Example: “The knight set out to slay the dragon.”
noun
1
A mythical, usually giant reptilian creature, often depicted breathing fire and guarding treasure in Western folklore.
"The knight set out to slay the dragon."
"In the old story, a dragon slept on a mountain of gold coins."
"The children drew a green dragon breathing flames over a castle."
2
In East Asian mythology, a long, serpentine, generally benevolent creature associated with power and good fortune.
"The dragon dance is a highlight of the Lunar New Year parade."
"In Chinese folklore, a dragon is often seen as a kind guardian that brings luck."
"Crowds cheered as a long red paper dragon wound through the street."
3
(Informal) A fierce, intimidating woman.
"His boss was an absolute dragon in meetings."
"Nobody dared be late for class because the head of department was a real dragon."
"My new landlady looks sweet, but my neighbour says she is a bit of a dragon."
How to use dragon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legendary giant serpent-like beast, often depicted breathing fire in Western stories or as a lucky symbol in Eastern culture.
Common pairings
slay a dragon
dragon's breath
year of the dragon
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Word forms
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The knight set out to slay the _____.
Etymology
From Old French dragon, from Latin draco, from Ancient Greek drakon, "a huge serpent."
Related words
Rhymes for dragon
wagon
Aragon
nonagon
octagon
paragon
heptagon
icosagon
pentagon
tarragon
dodecagon
bandwagon
pendragon
See all rhymes for dragon →
Frequently asked questions
What does “dragon” mean?
The word “dragon” means a mythical, usually giant reptilian creature, often depicted breathing fire and guarding treasure in Western folklore. In plain terms, a legendary giant serpent-like beast, often depicted breathing fire in Western stories or as a lucky symbol in Eastern culture.
How do you pronounce “dragon”?
“Dragon” is pronounced DRA-guhn (/ˈdɹæɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “dragon” in a sentence?
Here is “dragon” used in a sentence: “The knight set out to slay the dragon.”
What part of speech is “dragon”?
“Dragon” is a noun.
Where does the word “dragon” come from?
The word “dragon” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French dragon, from Latin draco, from Ancient Greek drakon, "a huge serpent.".
Is “dragon” a common word?
“Dragon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dragon” have?
“Dragon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mythical, usually giant reptilian creature, often depicted breathing fire and guarding treasure in Western folklore.
What is the difference between a Western dragon and an Eastern dragon?
Western dragons are usually winged, fire-breathing reptiles depicted as fierce, treasure-hoarding monsters to be slain. Eastern dragons, especially in Chinese tradition, are long and serpentine, typically wingless, and seen as wise, benevolent bringers of rain, water, and good fortune. The two traditions treat the creature almost oppositely.
What is the difference between a dragon and a wyvern?
In heraldry and fantasy, a wyvern has two legs and two wings, often with a barbed tail. A classic Western dragon has four legs plus a separate pair of wings, making six limbs in all. Wyverns are treated as a distinct, lesser cousin of the true dragon, though the terms overlap loosely.
Are dragons real?
No. Dragons are mythical creatures found in the folklore of many cultures, not living animals. Scholars think the legends may have been inspired by real things — dinosaur and other large fossils, crocodiles, and giant snakes — reshaped by imagination over centuries into the fire-breathing beasts of story.
What do dragons symbolize?
Dragon symbolism varies by culture. In Western folklore they often represent greed, danger, chaos, and a menace for heroes to overcome. In much of East Asia they stand for power, wisdom, imperial authority, and good luck. Across traditions, the dragon commonly embodies immense, elemental strength.
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