gorgon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, figurative. Formal and rare in everyday speech.
Quick answer
What does “gorgon” mean?
In Greek mythology, any of three monstrous sisters (Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa) with snakes for hair, whose gaze could turn people to stone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In Greek mythology, any of three monstrous sisters (Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa) with snakes for hair, whose gaze could turn people to stone.
A terrifying, fierce, or repulsive woman; someone whose appearance or demeanour is frightening or intimidating.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Equally literary/archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Both share the same core mythological reference and the same potentially offensive figurative connotation.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily found in literary texts, historical discussions, or as a deliberate, archaic insult.
Grammar
How to Use “gorgon” in a Sentence
The [noun] was a Gorgon.She stared at him like a Gorgon.He faced the Gorgon of his boss's wrath.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gorgon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Extremely rare) 'He felt himself gorgonised by her terrifying glare.' (To petrify like a Gorgon).
American English
- (Extremely rare) 'Her criticism seemed to gorgonize him, leaving him speechless.'
adverb
British English
- (Not standard usage)
American English
- (Not standard usage)
adjective
British English
- (Rare/poetic) 'She fixed him with a gorgon stare.'
American English
- (Rare/poetic) 'The manager's gorgon expression silenced the room.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. A highly inappropriate and archaic metaphor for a difficult colleague or boss.
Academic
Used in classics, literature, and art history to refer to the mythological figures. Figurative use might appear in literary criticism.
Everyday
Extremely rare. If used figuratively, it would be deliberate, literary, and likely insulting.
Technical
Used in zoology/paleontology for 'Gorgonocephalus' (a basket star) or 'Gorgonopsia' (an extinct synapsid).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gorgon”
- Using it as a casual synonym for 'strict person'. Confusing it with 'gargoyle' (architectural feature). Misspelling as 'gorgan' or 'gorgin'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare outside of discussions of mythology or deliberately archaic/literary contexts.
Yes, the figurative use is dated and highly offensive, comparing a woman to a monstrous, petrifying creature. It is considered sexist.
Medusa is by far the most famous, as she was the only mortal Gorgon and was slain by the hero Perseus.
Yes, but rarely. It is used figuratively for a frightening person (dated/offensive) and appears in scientific names like Gorgonopsia (an extinct predator).
In Greek mythology, any of three monstrous sisters (Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa) with snakes for hair, whose gaze could turn people to stone.
Gorgon is usually literary, figurative. formal and rare in everyday speech. in register.
Gorgon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɔːɡən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɔːrɡən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a stare that could turn one to stone (Gorgon-related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GORgeous statue that's been turned to stone by a GORGON's gaze. GORGON sounds like 'gore-gone', hinting at a petrifying, monstrous figure.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FRIGHTENING/REPULSIVE PERSON IS A MONSTER/MYTHOLOGICAL BEAST.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the MOST typical modern use of the word 'gorgon'?