name Uncommon

Goliath

guh-LEYE-uhth

Goliath (name) means In the Bible, a giant warrior defeated in single combat by the young David. Example: “The story of David and Goliath is often used to describe an underdog beating a far bigger opponent.”

name

In the Bible, a giant warrior defeated in single combat by the young David.

"The story of David and Goliath is often used to describe an underdog beating a far bigger opponent."

noun

Any person or thing that is unusually huge or powerful, especially when facing a much smaller opponent.

"The small startup managed to outmanoeuvre the industry goliath."

"At two metres tall, he was a goliath on the basketball court."

How to use Goliath

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA huge or dominant figure, from the biblical giant's name — often paired with "David" to mean an underdog story.

Common pairings

David and Goliath an industry goliath

Word forms

Goliaths plural

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The story of David and _____ is often used to describe an underdog beating a far bigger opponent.

Etymology

From the Hebrew name Golyat, borne by the biblical giant defeated by David.

Origin: Hebrew

Frequently asked questions

What does “Goliath” mean?

The word “Goliath” means in the Bible, a giant warrior defeated in single combat by the young David. In plain terms, a huge or dominant figure, from the biblical giant's name — often paired with "David" to mean an underdog story.

How do you pronounce “Goliath”?

“Goliath” is pronounced guh-LEYE-uhth (/ɡəˈlaɪəθ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Goliath” in a sentence?

Here is “Goliath” used in a sentence: “The story of David and Goliath is often used to describe an underdog beating a far bigger opponent.”

What part of speech is “Goliath”?

Depending on how it is used, “Goliath” can be a name and a noun.

Where does the word “Goliath” come from?

The word “Goliath” comes from Hebrew. From the Hebrew name Golyat, borne by the biblical giant defeated by David.

Is “Goliath” a common word?

“Goliath” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Goliath” have?

“Goliath” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the Bible, a giant warrior defeated in single combat by the young David.

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Vocabulary lists that include Goliath:

Words with hebrew origins