What does colossus mean?
A colossus is something of overwhelming size or stature: originally, a statue vastly larger than human scale, such as the famous bronze Colossus of Rhodes erected in the ancient world, and today, more often, a person or institution of immense influence or importance. We speak of a political colossus, a colossus of industry, or an intellectual colossus to signal not just greatness but a dominating presence within a field. The word derives from the Greek kolossos and gives us the adjective colossal, meaning gigantic in extent. Its plural is typically colossi, following Latin form. Because it evokes monuments and titans rather than ordinary largeness, colossus is a strong, elevated choice — suited to biography, history, and commentary on towering figures, and rarely used for everyday objects.
nounA statue that is much larger than life size; by extension, a person or thing of enormous size, power, or importance.
- A gigantic statue, especially one far larger than life size (originally applied to statues of Greek and Roman deities and rulers).
- A person or organization of enormous size, importance, or influence.
"The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world."
"Beethoven remains a colossus of classical music more than two centuries after his death."
"Visitors craned their necks at the colossus of bronze guarding the harbour entrance."
The Latin-style plural colossi is standard in British and American English; colossuses is a less common alternative.
"The valley's ruined colossi still draw travellers from across the world."
The original 'colossus' — the bronze Colossus of Rhodes — stood about 33 metres tall and toppled in an earthquake after just 56 years, yet its name went on to label everything from Napoleon to an early code-breaking computer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of colossus
Colossus comes from the Latin colossus, itself borrowed from the Greek kolossos, a term used for large statuary, most famously the giant bronze image of Helios at Rhodes. The word entered English in the early 17th century, and its figurative application to towering people and powers developed soon after. It is the direct source of the adjective colossal, coined in the 18th century.
Related word forms
How colossus is actually used
In modern usage the figurative sense — a towering figure in a field such as politics, business, or the arts — is far more common than the literal sense of a giant statue. The word carries connotations of awe and dominance rather than mere bigness. The plural is usually 'colossi', though 'colossuses' also occurs.
Easily confused with colossus
Colossal is an adjective meaning extremely large, while colossus is a noun referring to the giant statue or person itself.