gentle giant

[jen-tl jahy-uhnt]

noun

1. a person or animal that may seem intimidating because of great size, strength, talent, influence, etc., but is surprisingly friendly and not aggressive or threatening.

   Don’t be afraid of my huge dog—St. Bernards are gentle giants.

   A towering figure among scientists, she was a gentle giant who made others feel at home as they learned the profession.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentle giant¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

"He's a gentle giant. It's Mal's world and we're all just living in it."

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Even bloodied and beaten, sitting in the waiting room at his doctor’s office, Mark is a gentle giant, concisely explaining the sport to an older woman sitting across from him, and scribbling his signature onto a paper for her grandson.

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The couple have never found their "gentle giant".

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City of Edinburgh Council will launch an investigation into the death of a "gentle giant" who was found in a city chambers toilet.

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"He had his full life ahead of him, he was the most loving gentle giant you'd ever meet," she added.

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