colossus

Meaning

1. A statue of gigantic size. The name was especially applied to certain famous statues in antiquity, as the Colossus of Nero in Rome and the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
2. (broadly) Any creature or thing of gigantic size.
3. (figuratively) Somebody or something very greatly admired and respected.

Synonyms

giant

behemoth

monster

titan

goliath

heavyweight

anything of gigantic size

leviathan

ogre

great man

beast

Translations

colosse

coloso

Koloss

Gigant

kolos

Riese

gevaarte

bakbeest

géant

titan

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kəˈlɑs.əs/

Etymology

From Latin colossus, from Ancient Greek κολοσσός (kolossós, “large statue, especially the colossus of Rhodes”), from an unknown Pre-Greek etymon (and erroneously associated with κολοφών).