gorilla

noun go·ril·la \ gə-ˈri-lə \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Definition of gorilla

1 : a very large typically black-colored anthropoid ape (Gorilla gorilla) of equatorial Africa that has a stocky body with broad shoulders and long arms and is less erect and has smaller ears than the chimpanzee

2 a : an ugly or brutal man

b : thug, goon

See gorilla defined for English-language learners

See gorilla defined for kids

Examples of gorilla in a Sentence

She hired some gorilla as her bodyguard.
the loan shark sent a couple of gorillas to “convince” him to pay up

Recent Examples of gorilla from the Web

Gibbons are long-armed, tree-dwelling primates that are much smaller than the great apes (such as gorillas, orangutans and humans).

— amina khan, latimes.com, "Extinct species of gibbon discovered in an unlikely place — the tomb of a Chinese noblewoman," 22 June 2018
But then again, The Rock faced off with a genetically mutated and monstrous gorilla, crocodile and wolf, so that's pretty normal.

— brian truitt, USA TODAY, "The 10 best movies of 2018 (so far), ranked," 21 June 2018
The zoological term primate refers to the order of mammals that includes humans, gorillas, apes, gibbons, and monkeys, among other species.

— brett clarkson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Zoo Miami's oldest primate, a gibbon called Prisilla, dies at almost 50," 5 June 2018
In early June, Bel Air High School Art Department volunteers and students painted the three animals (camel, gorilla, turtle) at the playground.

— The Aegis, "Pavilion installed at Shamrock Park, equipment improved," 13 July 2018
Some said the park didn’t properly care for its 49-year-old gorilla, King.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Monkey Jungle has reopened. Here is what has happened since the animal-abuse allegations.," 12 July 2018
Zuri, a 34-year-old silverback gorilla who suffered from a heart condition, has died, Houston Zoo officials said.

— autumn rendall, Houston Chronicle, "Houston Zoo mourns death of silverback gorilla Zuri," 21 Apr. 2018
The 27-year-old gorilla arrived at the New Orleans zoo last month and is still settling into life in her new home.

— robert rhoden, NOLA.com, "'A sea of dead horses' at Texas ranch: report," 11 Apr. 2018
The 40-year-old silverback gorilla who died last week had heart disease, according to Woodland Park Zoo.

— christine clarridge, The Seattle Times, "40-year-old Leo the gorilla died of heart disease, says Woodland Park Zoo doc," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gorilla.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gorilla

New Latin, from Greek Gorillai, plural, a tribe of hairy women mentioned in an account of a voyage around Africa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1832

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gorilla Synonyms

Synonyms

gangster, goon, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, punk, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian, tough;

Related Words

cutthroat, scoundrel, villain;

assassin, bandit, bravo, brigand, criminal, crook, desperado, felon, gunman, highwayman, lawbreaker, mafioso, malefactor, offender, outlaw, perp, perpetrator, pirate;

pickpocket, racketeer, robber, swindler, thief, vandal;

Financial Definition of GORILLA

gorilla

noun

What It Is

A gorilla is a company that controls most of the market for a product or service.

How It Works

For example, in the 1990s, Microsoft was a gorilla in the market for operating systems. Sure, there were competitors, but they were very small, had tiny market shares, and avoided taking Microsoft on directly. Microsoft had billions to invest in marketing and innovation, and could easily undercut, out-distribute, and outsell these tiny competitors. As the saying goes, an 800-pound gorilla does whatever it wants.

Why It Matters

A gorilla's huge size means that competitors must carefully consider the gorilla's potential reactions to certain business decisions. Many gorillas have a shot at monopolizing the market. However, federal antitrust laws, most notably the Sherman Act, make collusive activity and monopolistic behavior illegal in the United States. There is, however, still an incentive to compete with a gorilla. After all, an undetected price cut (or increase in production) will attract customers who are buying from the gorilla and customers who are not buying the product at all. Price adjustments may be subtle, including better credit terms, faster delivery or related free services.

Gorillas are most effective when the demand for the gorilla's product is not very affected by price. This is why gorillas are more effective in the short term; over the long term, prices often become elastic as consumers find cheaper substitutes for the product.

Source: Investing Answers

GORILLA Defined for English Language Learners

gorilla

noun

Definition of gorilla for English Language Learners

: a type of very large ape that has black fur and that comes from Africa
: a large, strong, and usually ugly or frightening man

GORILLA Defined for Kids

gorilla

noun go·ril·la \ gə-ˈri-lə \

Definition of gorilla for Students

: a very large ape of the forests of central Africa that lives mostly on the ground

History for gorilla

In the sixth century b.c. the navigator Hanno, from the city of Carthage, made a trip around the west coast of Africa. An account of his journey disappeared, though a Greek translation survives. Near the furthest point on their voyage Hanno and his men came upon an island “full of wild people, the greater part of whom were females, hairy on their bodies, whom our interpreters called Gorillas.” When the great ape we know as the gorilla was first described by scientists in the 1800s, it was given the Latin name Gorilla gorilla in recollection of Hanno's description—though exactly what Hanno saw in Africa we will never know.