gorilla

[guh-ril-uh]

noun

1. a terrestrial, largely vegetarian great ape of the genus Gorilla , inhabiting central African forests: possessing great upper body strength, with arms longer and more muscular than its legs, it is noted for its knuckle-walking and is larger than any other living primate.

2. an ugly, brutish person.

3. Slang.,  a hoodlum or thug, especially one who threatens or inflicts violence.

   Like any mob boss, he sent his gorillas to do the dirty work.

4. Disparaging and Offensive.,  (used as a slur against a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, especially a Black person.)

gorilla

/ ɡəˈrɪlə, ɡəˈrɪlaɪn /

noun

1. the largest anthropoid ape, Gorilla gorilla, inhabiting the forests of central W Africa. It is stocky and massive, with a short muzzle and coarse dark hair

2. informal,  a large, strong, and brutal-looking man

Sensitive Note

See simianization.

Other Word Forms

• gorillalike adjective
• gorillian adjective
• gorilline adjective
• gorilloid adjective
• gorilla-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gorilla¹

First recorded in 1845–50; from New Latin, from Greek Goríllās (accusative plural) name for the females of a hairy tribe encountered in an account of a voyage along the coast of Africa made by the Carthaginian Hanno in the 5th century b.c.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gorilla¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek Gorillai, an African tribe renowned for their hirsute appearance

Example Sentences

YouTube TV has become an 800-pound gorilla in the media business.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These included seven hominid species, or "great apes,"** such as humans, gorillas and chimpanzees, and nine hylobatid species, or "lesser apes,"*** such as gibbons.

Read more on Science Daily

In most mammal species, females live longer -- for example, female baboons and gorillas often surpass males in age.

Read more on Science Daily

Of course, the big gorilla in the space isn’t going to stand still, either.

Read more on Barron's

“Netflix will need to channel its earlier days and find away to remain nimble, even though it’s now the 800-pound gorilla in this space to deal with this threat.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assassin 
• bandit 
• bully 
• criminal 
• gangster 
• goon 
• gunman 
• hooligan 
• mobster 
• murderer 
• rowdy 
• troublemaker