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

In 2015-16, a super El Niño was predicted — which some forecasters dubbed a Godzilla El Niño — but California’s yearly rainfall totals ended up being about average, said state climatologist Michael Anderson.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Our relationship with Godzilla changes from movie to movie and age to age.

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

With a single, in-block cam, one timing chain and two valves per cylinder, Godzilla is so primitive it’s practically primeval.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Godzilla had cornered us against the fence, and we didn’t dare make a move.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen