Godzilla
AmericanEtymology
Origin of Godzilla
1950–55; an Anglicized version of the Japanese name Gojira < Japanese gorira gorilla + kujira whale
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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.
One observer compares it to King Kong taking on Godzilla.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
In 2015-16, a super El Niño was predicted — which some forecasters dubbed a Godzilla El Niño — but California’s yearly rainfall totals ended up being about average, said state climatologist Michael Anderson.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Our relationship with Godzilla changes from movie to movie and age to age.
From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026
But the big news is what’s old: the continuing availability of Ford’s high-output 7.3-liter V8, a naturally aspirated, pushrod actuated, gas-guzzling anachronism nicknamed Godzilla.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026
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
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
