English Reference
Noun

goliath

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ɡəˈɫaɪəθ/ go·liath UK spelling goliaths

n.a person or organization that is very large, powerful, or successful. It is often used when a smaller person or group has to compete against them.

n.a person or entity of enormous size, power, or influence. Frequently used in the context of a 'David and Goliath' scenario to highlight an asymmetrical power dynamic.


SIMPLE

The small local shop is fighting a retail goliath.

CONTEXTUAL

The independent developer struggled to protect its patent against the legal team of the tech goliath.

COMPLEX

In the modern digital economy, a handful of corporate goliaths dominate the market, making it increasingly difficult for innovative startups to gain a significant foothold without being acquired.

Usage

Often used metaphorically; when referring to the biblical figure, it is capitalized.

The Bible’s inconvenient plotting means that David’s takedown of the fearsome giant Goliath (voiced by Kamran Nikhad) comes relatively early in the film.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

Borrowed from Hebrew גָּלְיָת (golyāṯ).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated