Tarzan

[ tahr-zuhn, -zan ]

noun

1. the hero of a series of jungle stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
2. a person of superior or superhuman physical strength, agility, and prowess.

Tarzan

/ ˈtɑːzən /

noun

1. informal.
   sometimes not capital a man with great physical strength, agility, and virility

Tarzan

¹

1. A character in popular novels by the twentieth-century American author Edgar Rice Burroughs. ( See under “Mythology and Folklore.” )

Tarzan

²

1. A character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs in the early twentieth century. Tarzan, born to aristocratic parents but orphaned in Africa , is raised by apes, who teach him to speak their language.

Notes

By extension, a “Tarzan” is a macho male, figuratively thumping his chest to get attention.

The adventures of Tarzan have been chronicled in countless books, comic strips, animated cartoons, radio and television series, and motion pictures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tarzan¹

C20: after the hero of a series of stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Example Sentences

The late Ellison “Tarzan” Brown inspired the moniker “Heartbreak Hill,” the most difficult part of the course.

From Washington Post

Or a modernized Tarzan might lead African miners on strike against unscrupulous multinationals.

From The Daily Beast

He once was a huge star—in the 50 year period from 1918 to 1968, 14 different actors played Tarzan in around 40 films.

From The Daily Beast

I suspect that the new Tarzan will run into the same problems that beset the recent Lone Ranger remake.

From The Daily Beast

I bought Tarzan comic books, and even had a few issues of ERB-dom, a mimeographed fanzine devoted to the works of Burroughs.

From The Daily Beast

I watched Tarzan movies and the short-lived Tarzan TV series.

From The Daily Beast

A half-crazy kid and yours truly trying to outsmart and out-Tarzan these wild men.

From Project Gutenberg

At the very furthest stretch of the imagination, a tarzan might sneak into town and try to steal some ammo.

From Project Gutenberg

Tells of Tarzan's return to the life of the ape-man in seeking vengeance for the loss of his wife and home.

From Project Gutenberg

Records the many wonderful exploits by which Tarzan proves his right to ape kingship.

From Project Gutenberg

Further thrilling adventures of Tarzan while seeking his wife in Africa.

From Project Gutenberg