# Kong

/ˈkɔŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kong
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. Mahjong set of four

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a set of four identical tiles in the game of Mahjong.

For teachers: a meld consisting of four identical tiles in the game of Mahjong. The term is often used as a verbal declaration when a player completes the set.

- She shouted 'Kong' and revealed her four identical bamboo tiles to the other players.
- After drawing the fourth tile from the wall, the player declared a concealed kong, which significantly increased the potential value of their hand.

### 2. fictional giant gorilla

noun · CEFR B1

the name of the famous giant gorilla from movies, often called King Kong.

For teachers: a proper noun referring to the iconic giant ape character first appearing in the 1933 film King Kong.

- The movie shows Kong climbing the Empire State Building while planes fly around him.
- Modern cinematic interpretations of Kong often portray the creature as a tragic figure rather than a simple monster.

## Examples

- That new skyscraper is a real Kong among the smaller buildings.
- In the world of tech giants, the company stands as a Kong that smaller startups struggle to compete with.
- The literary critic described the novel as a Kong of the genre, looming over contemporary works with its sheer ambition and structural complexity.

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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.