Godzilla

American

[god-zil-uh] / gɒdˈzɪl ə /

Trademark.

a science-fiction monster that resembles an enormous bipedal lizard, featured in Japanese and American films, television, and comic books.

Etymology

Origin of Godzilla

1950–55; an Anglicized version of the Japanese name Gojira < Japanese gorira gorilla + kujira whale

Compare meaning

How does godzilla compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Godzilla vs. Gargantua

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most Godzilla tales present slightly different interpretations of a mythology that began with the first “Godzilla” released in 1954.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

Tens of Toho movies counsel getting out of their way, especially when Godzilla throws himself at greater monsters.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

As for Godzilla, it snores like a kitten.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

The British actress has appeared in two Godzilla films and a Sherlock Holmes spin-off, based on the detective's teenager sister, Enola.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Which led to all the collateral damage . . . which made her feel like Godzilla.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023