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

Chimpanzees and gorillas have used sign language to express emotions and ask for things from people. —Leticia Fanucchi, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2025

The popularity of gorilla and chimp ecotourism is growing quickly. —Alexandra Owens, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025

Or consider the tutu-wearing gorilla who likes to swing her tools there, from time to time. —Maya Silver, Outside Online, 11 Jan. 2025

The five-month-old gorilla was discovered in a crate on a flight from Nigeria and was destined for Bangkok, Thailand. —Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025

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