What does giant mean?
Giant is a common English word with several related uses. As a noun, it denotes a person, creature, or thing of exceptional size, and it can also refer to the huge beings of Greek mythology. As an adjective, giant describes something strikingly large or exceptionally powerful, as in "giant leap," "giant panda," and "tech giant." In these uses, it conveys more than merely "big," suggesting a scale or influence that stands apart from the ordinary. The word can also be used informally as a verb: to giant something is to make it seem minor or insignificant by comparison. Giant appears in everyday speech, journalism, business writing, literature, and myth, making it both accessible and unusually versatile. Its mythological associations and its broad figurative range have helped it remain a familiar word while retaining the memorable suggestion of extraordinary scale.
A person, creature, or thing of exceptional size. In classical mythology, a giant is one of the huge beings who fought against the gods.
"The children were frightened by the story of the giant who lived beyond the mountains."
The mythological sense is often capitalized as "Giant" when referring specifically to that race in Greek tradition.
Exceptionally large, important, powerful, or influential.
"The company announced a giant investment in renewable energy."
Common in both formal and informal contexts; figurative uses often emphasize exceptional influence or importance.
To make someone or something seem insignificant by comparison.
"The scale of the cathedral giants the older buildings beside it."
Informal and figurative; less common than the noun and adjective uses.
The regular plural adds -s. Capitalize "Giants" when referring to the mythological beings of Greek tradition.
"The giants in the story were said to live beyond the northern mountains."
From the Giants who challenged the gods in Greek myth to the technology companies now called tech giants, this word has always suggested a scale that overwhelms the ordinary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of giant
The English word came through Old French geant from Latin gigas, a borrowing of the Greek word gigas, meaning "giant." It entered Middle English in a form close to the modern spelling and was associated both with exceptionally large beings and with the Giants of classical mythology. The same root also produced words such as gigantic and gigantism and contributed to names including Gigantosaurus and Gigantopithecus.
Related word forms
How giant is actually used
Giant is broad and common in both formal and informal English. As an adjective, it often suggests a scale or influence that is strikingly beyond what is ordinary, especially in expressions such as "tech giant." Its verb use is informal and chiefly means to make something else seem insignificant by comparison.