# Godzilla

/ˌɡɑˈdzɪlə/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/godzilla
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

a famous giant monster from Japanese movies that looks like a dinosaur and destroys cities. People often use the name to describe anything that is unusually large or powerful.

For teachers: a fictional prehistoric sea monster awakened or empowered by nuclear radiation, originally appearing in Japanese cinema. When used metaphorically, it refers to something of enormous size, power, or destructive potential.

## Examples

- The new skyscraper is a Godzilla among smaller buildings.
- The film studio released a new version of Godzilla to celebrate the character's seventieth anniversary.
- In cultural studies, the figure of Godzilla is frequently analyzed as a metaphor for nuclear trauma and the unintended consequences of scientific hubris.

## Usage notes

- When used as a common noun, it is often capitalized; it can also be used as a prefix (e.g., 'Godzilla-sized') to emphasize scale.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.