# Tarzan

/ˈtɑɹˌzæn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tarzan
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. fictional character

noun · CEFR B2

A famous fictional hero who was raised by apes in the African jungle.

For teachers: The protagonist of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels, characterized by his upbringing among primates and his survival skills in the wild.

- Many movies have been made about Tarzan and his life in the jungle.
- The myth of Tarzan explores the conflict between natural instinct and the constraints of human civilization.

### 2. a strong man

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

A man who is very strong, muscular, and good at physical activities like climbing.

For teachers: An allusion to the fictional character used to describe a man exhibiting great physical prowess, muscularity, or primitive strength.

- He thinks he is a real Tarzan just because he spent a week camping.
- The gym was full of aspiring Tarzans showing off their strength on the climbing ropes.

### 3. to swing or climb

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

To climb, swing, or move through trees and ropes in an athletic way.

For teachers: To behave in the manner of the fictional character, specifically by performing feats of agility such as swinging from ropes or climbing.

- The kids were Tarzanning through the playground equipment all afternoon.
- He spent the weekend Tarzanning across the canopy walkway at the adventure park.

Usage: Often used in the progressive '-ing' form to describe a specific physical action.

## Examples

- He climbed that tree like a Tarzan to rescue the cat.
- The kids were playing Tarzan in the backyard, swinging from the low branches of the old oak tree.
- While the character originated in pulp fiction, the name has become a cultural shorthand for any individual who rejects urban sophistication in favor of raw physical prowess and a connection to the wild.

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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.