# kaiju

/ˈkaɪdʒu/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a giant monster from Japanese movies, like Godzilla, that often attacks big cities.

For teachers: a genre of Japanese film featuring giant monsters, or one of the monsters themselves. Often used to describe creatures that represent natural disasters or nuclear anxieties.

## Examples

- The new movie features a giant kaiju rising from the ocean.
- Fans of the genre enjoy watching the kaiju destroy miniature city sets during the climactic battle scenes.
- While modern cinema often relies on digital effects, the original appeal of the kaiju lay in the physical presence of an actor in a heavy rubber suit.

## Usage notes

- Can be used as a countable noun for the creature or an uncountable noun for the film genre.

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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.