noun Uncommon

hydra

HYD-ruh

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Hydra (noun) means a many-headed serpent from Greek mythology that grew two new heads whenever one was cut off. Example: “Hercules had to burn each stump to stop the hydra from regrowing its heads.”

noun

A many-headed serpent from Greek mythology that grew two new heads whenever one was cut off.

"Hercules had to burn each stump to stop the hydra from regrowing its heads."

A tiny freshwater animal with a tube-shaped body and tentacles around its mouth, related to jellyfish.

"Under the microscope, the hydra's tentacles waved slowly in the water."

A problem so tangled and persistent that solving one part of it just causes another part to appear.

"Corruption in the city turned out to be a hydra — every scandal they shut down led to two more."

How to use hydra

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the mythical many-headed monster, a microscopic pond animal, or (figuratively) a problem that keeps growing back no matter how you attack it.

Common pairings

a hydra of a problem many-headed hydra

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: hydras, hydrae, hydræ

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Hercules had to burn each stump to stop the _____ from regrowing its heads.

Etymology

Named after the Hydra of Greek mythology, the multi-headed monster slain by Hercules; the tiny pond creature was named for its ability to regenerate in a similar way, and the figurative sense of an unstoppable, ever-multiplying problem comes from the same myth.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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Snake

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hydra” mean?

The word “hydra” means a many-headed serpent from Greek mythology that grew two new heads whenever one was cut off. In plain terms, either the mythical many-headed monster, a microscopic pond animal, or (figuratively) a problem that keeps growing back no matter how you attack it.

How do you pronounce “hydra”?

“Hydra” is pronounced HYD-ruh (/ˈhaɪdɹə/ in IPA).

How do you use “hydra” in a sentence?

Here is “hydra” used in a sentence: “Hercules had to burn each stump to stop the hydra from regrowing its heads.”

What part of speech is “hydra”?

“Hydra” is a noun.

Where does the word “hydra” come from?

The word “hydra” comes from Greek.

Is “hydra” a common word?

“Hydra” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “hydra” have?

“Hydra” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a many-headed serpent from Greek mythology that grew two new heads whenever one was cut off.

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