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. Cross River gorilla, eastern gorilla, eastern lowland gorilla, mountain gorilla, western gorilla, western lowland gorilla.
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.

Derived Forms

• goˈrilla-ˌlike, adjective
• goˈrillian, adjective
• goˈrilloid, adjective

Other Words From

• go·ril·la·like adjective
• go·ril·li·an adjective
• go·ril·line [g, uh, -, ril, -ahyn, -in], adjective
• go·ril·loid 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

In “Betty Boop’s Halloween Party,” also from 1933, a nasty gorilla interrupts Betty’s happy soiree, attended by a variety of woodland and jungle animals, and in “Red Hot Mama,” from 1934, Betty dreams herself in hell, where she dances with devils and anthropomorphic flames.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s like if a gorilla virus emerged in San Diego and first hit people who worked at the San Diego Zoo and lived nearby, then spread later more widely,” said Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who worked on the study.

From Los Angeles Times

Gabonese officials need not despair, given the array of attractions in their home country - including stunning white sand beaches and some of the world's best gorilla safaris in Loango National Park.

From BBC

The piece, which shows a gorilla lifting the shutter to release a sea lion and birds, has been replaced with a replica.

From BBC

Mr Ryan added while there were new elements to Banksy's campaign such as building momentum by posting a daily "teaser" on social media, there were also references to his previous work with the gorilla piece being reminiscent of his 2006 "Sweep It Under the Carpet" work depicting a maid with a dustpan and brush which was also painted in north London.

From BBC

Related Words

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