gorilla

noun

go·​ril·​la gə-ˈri-lə How to pronounce gorilla (audio)
Synonyms of gorillanext
1
: a very large typically black-colored great 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 of gorilla

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
M'Baku is the leader of the Jabari tribe, a Wakandan community that worships a gigantic white gorilla deity. — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Once the gorillas are located, visitors typically spend one hour with them. — Leora Rothschild, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2026 Rates include all meals and drinks, plus a daily massage—much needed after a day spent gorilla trekking, hiking, or birdwatching in the nearby Volcanoes National Park. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 Many gorilla families are used to people, but while their population grows, the forest available to them does not. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gorilla

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gorilla was in 1832

Phrases Containing gorilla

Rhymes for gorilla

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Browse Nearby Words

Gorgosaurus
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Cite this Entry

“Gorilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gorilla. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gorilla

noun
go·​ril·​la gə-ˈril-ə How to pronounce gorilla (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on gorilla

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gorilla

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