Colossus: meaning, definitions and examples

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colossus

[ˈkɒləsəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

ancient history

A statue that is much bigger than life-size and usually represents a human or an animal.

Synonyms

giant statue, monument.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
colossus	A colossus is a very large statue or something immense in size or importance. It often implies something of great impact or significance. The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The tech company became a colossus in the industry almost overnight.
giant statue	Giant statue refers specifically to a statue that is very large in size. It is more straightforward and less grandiose compared to 'colossus'. We visited a park that had a giant statue of a famous historical figure. A giant statue of the Buddha can be seen from miles away.
monument	Monument generally refers to a structure created to commemorate a person or event. It could be any size and doesn't necessarily have to be a statue. The Washington Monument is one of the most famous structures in the United States. A monument was erected to honor the fallen soldiers.

Word

Description / Examples

colossus

A colossus is a very large statue or something immense in size or importance. It often implies something of great impact or significance.

The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The tech company became a colossus in the industry almost overnight.

giant statue

Giant statue refers specifically to a statue that is very large in size. It is more straightforward and less grandiose compared to 'colossus'.

We visited a park that had a giant statue of a famous historical figure.
A giant statue of the Buddha can be seen from miles away.

monument

Monument generally refers to a structure created to commemorate a person or event. It could be any size and doesn't necessarily have to be a statue.

The Washington Monument is one of the most famous structures in the United States.
A monument was erected to honor the fallen soldiers.

Examples of usage

The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The ancient Greeks built many colossi to honor their gods.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

figurative

A person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability.

Synonyms

giant, powerhouse, titan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
colossus	Used to describe something or someone extremely large or influential, often in a metaphorical sense. The new tech company quickly became a colossus in the industry. Shakespeare is a literary colossus whose works continue to be studied.
giant	Can describe something physically large or someone who is very important or influential in a field. A giant tree stood in the middle of the forest. Albert Einstein is considered a giant in the field of physics.
titan	Describes someone or something extremely powerful or influential, often with a sense of awe or admiration. Steve Jobs was a titan in the world of technology. The novel 'Moby-Dick' is a titan of American literature.
powerhouse	Refers to a person, team, or organization that is very strong and effective, often in a specific domain like sports, business, or other competitive fields. The company is a powerhouse in the field of renewable energy. The basketball team became a powerhouse, winning several championships.

Examples of usage

She was a colossus in the field of medicine.
The company became a colossus in the tech industry.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word comes from the Latin 'colossus', which means giant, and is derived from the Greek 'kolossos'.
One famous example is the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of the sun god Helios, which once stood at the entrance of the harbor of Rhodes, Greece.
This monumental statue was around 33 meters tall, making it one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Art and Architecture

Colossal sculptures have been created in many cultures, including the massive Easter Island heads known as moai.
In ancient Egypt, large statues of pharaohs, like those found at Abu Simbel, were built to demonstrate power and divine rule.
The use of large sculptures continues today, like the colossal faces of Mount Rushmore, which honors four U.S. presidents.

Literature and Film

The word 'colossus' is often used in literature to signify something that is overwhelmingly large or significant, like a powerful force or character.
In popular movies, 'colossus' can describe giant creatures or robots, emphasizing their size in a dramatic way.
The term was also used in various comic book series to depict characters with extraordinary size and strength.

Philosophy and Symbolism

In philosophical discussions, a 'colossus' might symbolize an overwhelming presence or significant challenge that stands before individuals or societies.
The term can represent larger-than-life ideals, such as great leaders or monumental achievements in human history, inspiring admiration or fear.
Colossi often embody themes of power, legacy, and the quest for immortality, prompting reflections on what it means to leave a mark in the world.

Science

In astronomy, some celestial bodies like massive stars or planets may be informally referred to as 'colossal' due to their vast size and mass.
The term also appears in geology to describe significant landforms, like giant mountains or rock formations that dominate the landscape.
In biology, 'colossal' can describe particularly large species, such as the colossal squid, one of the largest and deepest-dwelling creatures in the ocean.

Translations

Translations of the word "colossus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colosso

🇮🇳 विशालकाय

🇩🇪 Koloss

🇮🇩 kolosal

🇺🇦 колос

🇵🇱 kolos

🇯🇵 巨像 (きょぞう)

🇫🇷 colosse

🇪🇸 coloso

🇹🇷 dev

🇰🇷 거상 (geosang)

🇸🇦 عملاق (eimlaq)

🇨🇿 kolos

🇸🇰 kolos

🇨🇳 巨人 (jùrén)

🇸🇮 kolos

🇮🇸 risi

🇰🇿 алып

🇬🇪 გიგანტი (giganti)

🇦🇿 nəhəng

🇲🇽 coloso

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,354, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
29351 prolix
29352 immunize
29353 jacking
29354 colossus
29355 pedant
29356 eloped
29357 skippers
...