noun
Common
griffin
GRIHF-ihn
Griffin (noun) means a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Example: “In the story, a griffin guarded a hoard of gold in the mountains.”
noun
1
A legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
"In the story, a griffin guarded a hoard of gold in the mountains."
"My little brother drew a griffin with huge feathered wings."
"The castle gate was guarded by two stone griffins."
How to use griffin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mythical half-lion, half-eagle creature, common in heraldry and fantasy.
Easily confused with
gryphon
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Word forms
- Plural
- griffins
Fill the gap
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In the story, a _____ guarded a hoard of gold in the mountains.
Etymology
From Old French griffon, from Late Latin grȳphus, from Greek grúps — the same root as "gryphon," an alternate spelling.
Synonyms
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gryphon
griffon
Related words
Rhymes for griffin
See all rhymes for griffin →Frequently asked questions
What does “griffin” mean?
The word “griffin” means a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. In plain terms, a mythical half-lion, half-eagle creature, common in heraldry and fantasy.
How do you pronounce “griffin”?
“Griffin” is pronounced GRIHF-ihn (/ˈɡɹɪf.ɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “griffin” in a sentence?
Here is “griffin” used in a sentence: “The castle gate was guarded by two stone griffins.”
What part of speech is “griffin”?
“Griffin” is a noun.
Where does the word “griffin” come from?
The word “griffin” comes from Late Latin. From Old French griffon, from Late Latin grȳphus, from Greek grúps — the same root as "gryphon," an alternate spelling.
Is “griffin” a common word?
“Griffin” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a griffin and a dragon?
A griffin is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. A dragon is a separate mythical creature, usually depicted as a scaled, reptilian beast, often able to breathe fire.
What is the difference between 'griffin', 'gryphon', and 'griffon'?
'Griffin', 'gryphon', and 'griffon' are alternative spellings of the same legendary lion-eagle creature. The meaning is identical; the spelling is simply a matter of style or tradition.
What is the difference between a griffin and a hippogriff?
A griffin has the body of a lion with an eagle's head and wings. A hippogriff is a related mythical creature with the front of an eagle and the body and hindquarters of a horse.
What does a griffin symbolise?
Combining the lion, seen as king of beasts, and the eagle, seen as king of birds, the griffin has traditionally been regarded as a symbol of strength, vigilance, and guardianship. It appears often in heraldry for this reason.
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