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.

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.

Other Word Forms

• gorillalike adjective
• gorillian adjective
• gorilline adjective
• gorilloid adjective
• gorilla-like 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

Last summer, the artist began an animal-themed campaign in the capital of nine works, which concluded with a gorilla appearing to lift up a shutter on the entrance to London Zoo.

From BBC

Tennis champion Serena Williams has dealt with sports commentators derisively calling her too masculine, while a commentator at the Australian Open compared her sister Venus to a gorilla.

From Salon

It has been a challenging time for the San Diego Zoo, where three beloved animals — a polar bear, giraffe and gorilla — died within days of each other.

From Los Angeles Times

The relationships built up between female mountain gorillas are more important than previously understood, new research from Rwanda suggests.

From BBC

A month ago, the extremely online couldn’t get enough of pondering the hypothetical match-up between 100 men and one gorilla.

From Salon

Related Words

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