Godzilla

American  

[god-zil-uh] / gɒdˈzɪl ə /

Trademark.

1. a science-fiction monster that resembles an enormous bipedal lizard, featured in Japanese and American films, television, and comic books.

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Etymology

Origin of Godzilla

1950–55; an Anglicized version of the Japanese name Gojira < Japanese gorira gorilla + kujira whale

Compare meaning

How does godzilla compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Godzilla vs. Gargantua

Example Sentences

Tens of Toho movies counsel getting out of their way, especially when Godzilla throws himself at greater monsters.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

Others created battle scenes between iconic superheroes like Wolverine and Superman or between a Transformer and Godzilla.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

New England still glows from two triumphant decades with Tom Brady, its chisel-cheeked, carb-shunning, Super Bowl quarterback turned glambot who lifted the meek Patriots from laughingstock to trophy-hoarding Godzilla.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

It turns out the Randa family legacy is intertwined with Godzilla as well as Monarch, a secret organization dedicated to studying the giant monsters known as Titans.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

She looks, in fact, like I’ve just burned down her house, or worse—that I actually am Godzilla.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle