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noun

gorgon

GAWR-guhn

Gorgon (noun) means In Greek mythology, one of three monstrous sisters with snakes for hair, whose gaze turned people to stone. Example: “Medusa was the most famous of the Gorgons.”

noun
1
In Greek mythology, one of three monstrous sisters with snakes for hair, whose gaze turned people to stone.
"Medusa was the most famous of the Gorgons."
"Perseus avoided the gorgon's gaze by watching her reflection."
2
A fierce, frightening, or intimidating woman.
"The headmistress was a real gorgon when it came to uniform rules."

How to use gorgon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe snake-haired monster of Greek myth, or, as an insult, a scary/fierce woman.

Common pairings
a gorgon's stare like a gorgon

Word forms

gorgons plural

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Test yourself on “gorgon” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Medusa was the most famous of the _____.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Gorgṓ, related to gorgós ("terrible, fierce") — likely echoing a harsh, growling sound, much like an onomatopoeia for a monster's snarl.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “gorgon” mean?

The word “gorgon” means in Greek mythology, one of three monstrous sisters with snakes for hair, whose gaze turned people to stone. In plain terms, the snake-haired monster of Greek myth, or, as an insult, a scary/fierce woman.

How do you pronounce “gorgon”?

“Gorgon” is pronounced GAWR-guhn (/ˈɡɔːrɡən/ in IPA).

How do you use “gorgon” in a sentence?

Here is “gorgon” used in a sentence: “Medusa was the most famous of the Gorgons.”

What part of speech is “gorgon”?

“Gorgon” is a noun.

Where does the word “gorgon” come from?

The word “gorgon” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek Gorgṓ, related to gorgós ("terrible, fierce") — likely echoing a harsh, growling sound, much like an onomatopoeia for a monster's snarl.

How many meanings does “gorgon” have?

“Gorgon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Greek mythology, one of three monstrous sisters with snakes for hair, whose gaze turned people to stone.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial