name Uncommon

Tarzan

TAHR-zan

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Tarzan (name) means a fictional hero raised by apes in the African jungle, known for his strength and agility. Example: “The old Tarzan films are still shown on classic movie channels.”

name

A fictional hero raised by apes in the African jungle, known for his strength and agility.

"The old Tarzan films are still shown on classic movie channels."

noun

(informal) A muscular, athletic man, or someone acting in a wild, physical way.

"He swung across the ropes course like an absolute Tarzan."

How to use Tarzan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe jungle hero from the novels and films, and informally, a nickname for anyone acting muscular and wild like him.

Common pairings

swing like Tarzan act like Tarzan

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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: Tarzans
Third person singular: Tarzans
Past tense: Tarzaned

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old _____ films are still shown on classic movie channels.

Etymology

Invented by the author Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912 for his fiction.

· First attested 1912

Class of 1912 Tarzan joined the language around 1912.

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See the full Class of 1912 →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Tarzan” mean?

The word “Tarzan” means a fictional hero raised by apes in the African jungle, known for his strength and agility. In plain terms, the jungle hero from the novels and films, and informally, a nickname for anyone acting muscular and wild like him.

How do you pronounce “Tarzan”?

“Tarzan” is pronounced TAHR-zan (/ˈtɑɹzæn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Tarzan” in a sentence?

Here is “Tarzan” used in a sentence: “The old Tarzan films are still shown on classic movie channels.”

What part of speech is “Tarzan”?

Depending on how it is used, “Tarzan” can be a name and a noun.

Where does the word “Tarzan” come from?

The word “Tarzan” dates back to around 1912. Invented by the author Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912 for his fiction.

Is “Tarzan” a common word?

“Tarzan” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Tarzan” have?

“Tarzan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fictional hero raised by apes in the African jungle, known for his strength and agility.