colossus
- 01 C2 Proficiency
a statue that is much larger than a normal person.
a statue of gigantic size, historically referring to monumental works like the Colossus of Rhodes.
Simple“The ancient city was famous for the bronze colossus that stood at the harbour entrance.”
In context“Archaeologists continue to search for the remains of the bronze colossus that once dominated the ancient skyline before the earthquake.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
a person who is very important, powerful, or talented in their field.
a person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability; a dominant figure in a particular field.
Simple“In the world of science, he was a colossus whose ideas changed everything.”
In context“The late statesman bestrode the political landscape like a colossus, overshadowing his contemporaries for nearly three decades.”
SynonymsAntonymsnobodynonentity - 03 C2 Proficiency
anything that is extremely large in size.
any creature or object of gigantic proportions.
Simple“The new aircraft carrier is a steel colossus that can carry thousands of sailors.”
In context“The industrial colossus loomed over the small town, its chimneys constantly venting steam into the grey sky.”
“This is no colossus but a statue that takes its scale and life from the surrounding city.”
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.