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

But, while adults are gorilla trekking, the lodge will provide childcare services (on a complimentary basis). —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024

There are others too: gorilla, aardvark, Himalayan blue sheep, the Giant Japanese Salamander and the Asian small-clawed otter, to name a few. —Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 27 Oct. 2024

Joshua Emerson, an actor who plays the gorilla at Casa Bonita, said there have been numerous incidents involving guests who interact inappropriately with entertainers. —Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2024

There was this kid with tribal markings on his face, a guy in a gorilla suit, and Helena. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2024

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

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