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 notesIn 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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gorgon.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gorgons
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.
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.
