gorilla

noun

guh-RIL-uh/ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/

4 meanings of gorilla

1
nouncountable
A very large, strong ape that lives in the forests of central Africa and walks on its knuckles.
A gorilla can weigh more than two grown men.
We watched the gorillas climb and play at the zoo.
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2
nouncountable
A large, rough man who uses his size to scare or hurt others.
Like a big, scary bodyguard who pushes people around.
Two gorillas in dark suits guarded the club door.
The boss sent a gorilla to collect the debt.
Similarthug, goon, heavy, bruiser, enforcer
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3
nouncolloquialcountable
A very powerful person or company that controls a lot in its field.
Like the biggest kid on the playground that everyone listens to.
That company is the gorilla of the software world.
When the biggest gorilla in the market sets a price, the rest follow.
Similargiant, heavyweight, behemoth, titan
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4
nounslangAustraliaUKcountable
A sum of one thousand pounds or dollars.
He won a gorilla betting on the final race.
The watch set him back nearly two gorillas.
Similargrand, thou
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Practice

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Origin

It comes from the Ancient Greek word Górillai, a name for a tribe of hairy women. That Greek word probably came from Punic and, in the end, from an African language.