What does giantism mean?
Giantism is a formal noun meaning excessive or abnormal growth, especially the unusually great height that can result from excess growth hormone before the body's growth plates close. In medicine, it is closely associated with pituitary gigantism, although excessive growth can have other causes. The term also has a figurative use for extreme size, scale, or importance, as when a writer describes a company's expansion as corporate giantism. It should be distinguished from acromegaly, which describes excessive growth of bones and other tissues in adulthood after the growth plates have closed. For readers encountering the word in a general context, the distinction between a medical condition and a dramatic or exaggerated quality is especially useful. Although giantism is understood in British and American English, gigantism is the more common modern term in clinical writing.
nounThe condition of excessive or abnormal growth, especially the excessive linear growth associated with excessive growth hormone before the growth plates close. The word may also be used figuratively for extreme size or importance.
- The medical condition of excessive linear growth, typically caused by excess growth hormone during childhood and early adolescence.
- Figuratively, extreme size, scale, or importance.
"The condition, known as pituitary gigantism, caused the patient to grow to an extraordinary height."
"Doctors diagnosed him with pituitary gigantism after his unusually rapid growth in adolescence."
"The novel's giantism lies in its sprawling plot and its enormous cast of memorable characters."
The plural is grammatically possible but very rarely used.
"The discussion addressed several forms of giantism and their distinct causes."
The timing is the key to giantism: extraordinary growth before the body's growth plates close can produce remarkable height.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does giantism come from?
Giantism is formed within English by adding the suffix -ism, meaning a condition or state, to giant. The word giant comes through Old French geant from Latin gigas, a borrowing of Greek gigas, meaning “giant.” Related English words include gigantic, gigantism, and gigantesque, all reflecting the same Greek and Latin source.
How giantism is actually used
The word is formal and is most common in medical writing. In general discussion, gigantism is often the more familiar term, while figurative uses of giantism can sound descriptive or mildly jocular.
Easily confused with giantism
Gigantism involves excessive growth before the growth plates close, whereas acromegaly is the excessive growth of bones and tissues in adulthood after growth has ended.