Word
colossus
Phoneticscolos·sus
US/kəˈɫɑsəs/
UK/kəlˈɒsəs/
Definitions
01a giant statue
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary
n. a statue that is much larger than a normal person.
n. a statue of gigantic size, historically referring to monumental works like the Colossus of Rhodes.
“The ancient city was famous for the bronze colossus that stood at the harbour entrance.”
“Archaeologists continue to search for the remains of the bronze colossus that once dominated the ancient skyline before the earthquake.”
02an influential person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary · Formal
n. a person who is very important, powerful, or talented in their field.
n. a person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability; a dominant figure in a particular field.
“In the world of science, he was a colossus whose ideas changed everything.”
“The late statesman bestrode the political landscape like a colossus, overshadowing his contemporaries for nearly three decades.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03something huge
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary
n. anything that is extremely large in size.
n. any creature or object of gigantic proportions.
“The new aircraft carrier is a steel colossus that can carry thousands of sailors.”
“The industrial colossus loomed over the small town, its chimneys constantly venting steam into the grey sky.”
Antonyms
Usage
The plural form is either 'colossi' or 'colossuses'.
Real-World Examples
“Now the unfettered river churns beneath the brick colossus, ripping over a recontoured bottom of bouldery pools and pockets.” “This is no colossus but a statue that takes its scale and life from the surrounding city.” Etymology
From Latin colossus, from Ancient Greek κολοσσός (kolossós, “large statue, especially the colossus of Rhodes”), from an unknown Pre-Greek etymon (and erroneously associated with κολοφών).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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