gorilla

noun

go·​ril·​la gə-ˈri-lə 

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

Synonyms

• bully
• gangbanger
• gangsta
• gangster
• goon
• hood
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• mobster
• mug
• plug-ugly
• punk
• roughneck
• rowdy
• ruffian
• thug
• tough
• toughie
• toughy
• yob [British]
• yobbo [British]

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 on the Web

Watch the standoff 4-foot reptilian predator spotted 'enveloping' hawk turns out to be new snake species Who wins in a fight between 100 men and 1 gorilla? —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

The gorilla could easily maim several men before being exhausted. —Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025

Taxonomic identification of the food revealed that the gorillas were looking for a specific species of deer truffle (Elaphomyces labyrinthinus). —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025

For the last five years, veterinary and animal care staff at the zoo provided the gorilla with support such as medications, physical therapy, environmental modifications, and consultations with specialists. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gorilla

• lowland gorilla
• mountain gorilla
• 800-pound gorilla

Rhymes for gorilla

• axilla
• flotilla
• guerilla
• guerrilla
• manilla
• mantilla
• maxilla
• mesilla
• papilla
• priscilla
• scintilla
• sensilla

Kids Definition

gorilla

noun

go·​ril·​la gə-ˈril-ə 

: a typically black ape of equatorial Africa that is much larger but stands less erect than the related chimpanzee

Etymology

derived from Greek Gorillai, a name used by ancient explorers for what they thought was a tribe of hairy women in Africa