gorilla
guh-RIHL-uh
Gorilla (noun) means the largest living primate, a powerful ape native to the forests of Central Africa. Example: “The silverback gorilla stood guard over its troop.”
noun
1
The largest living primate, a powerful ape native to the forests of Central Africa.
"The silverback gorilla stood guard over its troop."
"Gorillas are mostly gentle despite their imposing size."
2
(informal) A large, physically intimidating man, especially one used as muscle.
"Two gorillas in suits blocked the entrance to the VIP room."
How to use gorilla
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe huge ape, or informally, a big tough man (often a bodyguard-type figure).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
silverback gorilla
gorilla in a suit
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Word forms
- Plural
- gorillas
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The silverback _____ stood guard over its troop.
Etymology
Traces back through Ancient Greek Górillai, a name reportedly used by the Carthaginian explorer Hanno for a tribe of hairy people he encountered on the West African coast — the word was later borrowed for the ape.
Related words
Rhymes for gorilla
See all rhymes for gorilla →Frequently asked questions
What does “gorilla” mean?
The word “gorilla” means the largest living primate, a powerful ape native to the forests of Central Africa. In plain terms, the huge ape, or informally, a big tough man (often a bodyguard-type figure).
How do you pronounce “gorilla”?
“Gorilla” is pronounced guh-RIHL-uh (/ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “gorilla” in a sentence?
Here is “gorilla” used in a sentence: “The silverback gorilla stood guard over its troop.”
What part of speech is “gorilla”?
“Gorilla” is a noun.
Where does the word “gorilla” come from?
The word “gorilla” comes from Ancient Greek. Traces back through Ancient Greek Górillai, a name reportedly used by the Carthaginian explorer Hanno for a tribe of hairy people he encountered on the West African coast — the word was later borrowed for the ape.
Is “gorilla” a common word?
“Gorilla” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “gorilla” have?
“Gorilla” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the largest living primate, a powerful ape native to the forests of Central Africa.
What is the difference between a gorilla and other great apes like chimpanzees or orangutans?
A gorilla is specifically the largest living primate, native to the forests of Central Africa, distinguishing it by size from smaller great apes such as chimpanzees and orangutans, which live in different regions and have different builds. All are great apes, but "gorilla" refers to this particular, most powerful species.
What is the difference between "gorilla" and "guerrilla"?
"Gorilla" refers to the large ape, while "guerrilla" refers to an irregular fighter engaged in unconventional warfare; the two words are unrelated in meaning despite sounding alike. Confusing the spellings is a common mistake since the words are homophones for many speakers.
Why is "gorilla" sometimes used to describe a person?
Informally, "gorilla" can describe a large, physically intimidating man, especially one used as muscle, drawing on the animal's size and strength as a comparison. This usage is casual and evokes physical power rather than any actual similarity to the animal.
