Giant: meaning, definitions and examples

👹

Add to dictionary

giant

[ˈdʒaɪənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

mythical creature

A giant is a mythical creature of enormous size, typically human-like but much larger. Giants are often portrayed as aggressive and intimidating beings in folklore and mythology.

Synonyms

colossus, monster, titan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
giant	Occurs here again, which likely is a repetition error. Refer to the first instance of 'giant'.
monster	Connotes a large or terrifying creature, often with a negative connotation. Can also describe something unusually large in a more negative sense. The monster in the movie scared everyone. That is a monster of a task, it will take forever.
titan	Usually describes someone or something extremely powerful or influential, often in a particular field. Can also imply strength and significance. She is a titan in the world of technology. The company's titans met to discuss the future strategy.
colossus	Refers to something or someone extremely large, often implying grandeur or awe-inspiring size. Generally positive and can often relate to statues or figures of importance. The ancient colossus stood watch over the harbor. He is a colossus in the world of finance.

Examples of usage

The giant in the story was so tall that he could touch the clouds.
Legends say that giants used to roam the earth in ancient times.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

extremely large person or thing

In colloquial language, a giant can refer to an extremely large person or thing, often used metaphorically to emphasize the size or significance of something.

Synonyms

enormous, huge, massive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
giant	Giant often describes something remarkably large in size or stature and can also be used metaphorically to describe importance or influence. The giant boulder blocked the entire road. He is considered a giant in the field of medicine.
enormous	Enormous is used to emphasize the vast size of something. It often carries a sense of being overwhelmingly large. The house was enormous, with ten bedrooms and a huge garden. An enormous amount of effort was required to complete the project.
massive	Massive often implies something large and heavy or solid and tends to be used in contexts where the physical weight or impact of something is significant. The massive stone pillars supported the ancient temple. The company suffered a massive loss last year.
huge	Huge is a versatile term that can describe anything very large. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings. She received a huge bouquet of flowers on her birthday. The new shopping mall is huge and has over 200 stores.

Examples of usage

She felt like a giant among the children, towering over them with her height.
The tech company is a giant in the industry, dominating the market with its innovative products.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

very large

When used as an adjective, 'giant' describes something that is very large in size or scale.

Synonyms

enormous, huge, massive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
giant	Best used to describe something extremely large, often emphasizing its height or size in a more mythical or figurative sense. The city was dominated by a giant skyscraper. He felt like a giant among men after winning the championship.
huge	Commonly used in casual speech to describe something very large or significant, without any formal or descriptive constraints. They bought a huge house in the suburbs. The new park is huge; you can spend hours exploring it.
enormous	Suitable for highlighting the vast size or quantity of something, usually in a more formal or descriptive context. The company made an enormous profit this year. The scientists discovered an enormous cave underground.
massive	Best for emphasizing something's substantial size, weight, or impact, often in a more forceful or impactful manner. A massive boulder blocked the path. The player made a massive impact in the game.

Examples of usage

The giant oak tree stood tall in the middle of the forest.
He took a giant leap forward in his career with the new promotion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'giant' comes from the Latin word 'giganteus' which means huge or enormous.
In Old French, 'geant' also described something immense or remarkable in size.
The concept of giants can be traced back to ancient mythology, where they often represented powerful beings.

Mythology

In Greek mythology, giants were known for their strength and often fought against the gods in epic battles.
The Norse culture featured Jotunn, giant beings that were part of the natural world and represented chaos and danger.
In many cultures, giants are seen as protectors of nature, while in others, they represent threats to humans.

Pop Culture

Giants appear in stories like 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' where a boy encounters a giant in his quest.
The animated movie 'The BFG' features a friendly giant who befriends a little girl.
In the world of video games, giant characters often serve as formidable bosses or allies, emphasizing their massive presence.

Science

In astronomy, a 'giant' refers to stars that are much larger than the sun, sometimes hundreds of times its size.
Biology uses the term 'gigantism' to describe an abnormal growth condition, often leading to larger-than-usual body sizes.
Some species of dinosaurs, like the Argentinosaurus, are known as giants, with massive sizes that astonish scientists.

Literature

From fairy tales to novels, giants often embody the themes of strength and conflict, sometimes representing the conflicts within ourselves.
In classic literature, giants frequently serve as obstacles for heroes, testing their courage and determination.
Contemporary literature sometimes reimagines giants as sympathetic characters with their own stories, offering a fresh perspective.

Translations

Translations of the word "giant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gigante

🇮🇳 विशालकाय

🇩🇪 Riese

🇮🇩 raksasa

🇺🇦 велетень

🇵🇱 gigant

🇯🇵 巨大

🇫🇷 géant

🇪🇸 gigante

🇹🇷 dev

🇰🇷 거인

🇸🇦 عملاق

🇨🇿 obr

🇸🇰 obor

🇨🇳 巨人

🇸🇮 velikan

🇮🇸 risi

🇰🇿 алып

🇬🇪 გოლიათი

🇦🇿 nəhəng

🇲🇽 gigante

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,610, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4607 bold
4608 strengthen
4609 riding
4610 giant
4611 rental
4612 useless
4613 activation
...