What is giant? Pronunciation and usage in English

giant means . Learn how to pronounce and use giant through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of giant

giantnoun

/ˈdʒʌɪənt/
Definition & pronunciation of giant

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "giant":

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈdʒaɪ.ənt

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈdʒai: This part sounds like "jay" (as in the name Jay). The 'ˈ' symbol indicates that this syllable is the stressed (most emphasized) syllable.
  • ənt: This part sounds like "ant." It’s a short, unstressed vowel sound.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the sounds:

  • "gi" – Sounds like the "j" in "jam."
  • "an" – This is a schwa sound (ə). It’s a very short, neutral vowel sound – like the "a" in "about." It's not a strong, distinct "a" sound.

Resources to hear it:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "giant"?

Usage and examples with the word giant in English

Let's break down how to use the word "giant" in English. It's a versatile word with multiple meanings and uses! Here's a breakdown:

1. Literal Giant – A Huge Human Being

  • Meaning: This is the most straightforward use – referring to a person who is exceptionally tall.
  • Examples:
    • "He was a giant of a man, easily six and a half feet tall."
    • "Legend speaks of a giant who lived in the forest."
    • "The children were amazed by the giant statue in the park."

2. Figurative Giant – Something Extremely Large or Important

  • Meaning: This is where "giant" gets really interesting. It’s used to describe something that's larger than life – huge in size, scale, impact, or significance. It's often hyperbolic (exaggerated for effect).
  • Examples:
    • “The internet has become a giant source of information.” (Referring to its vastness.)
    • "Mount Everest is a giant of the natural world." (Referring to its size and awe-inspiring nature.)
    • "He's a giant in the field of computer science." (Referring to his influence and expertise.)
    • “That company is a giant in the industry." (Referring to its size and market dominance.)
    • "The film was a giant success." (Referring to its popularity and box office revenue)

3. Used as an Adjective (Describing something large)

  • Meaning: You can use "giant" to describe something literally large.
  • Examples:
    • “The giant oak tree dominated the landscape.”
    • “Giant mushrooms grew in the damp forest.”
    • “The giant wheel at the amusement park looked like it could take off.”

4. In Folklore/Mythology

  • Meaning: Giants are common figures in myths and legends across many cultures. They are often depicted as enormous, powerful, and sometimes dangerous.
  • Examples:
    • "The giant battled the hero for many days."
    • "According to the story, the giants built the mountains."

Tips for Using "Giant" Effectively:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation to determine whether you mean a literal giant or a figurative one.
  • Hyperbole is common: When using "giant" figuratively, it's often used deliberately for dramatic effect. Don’t use it unless you truly mean something is exceptionally large or important.
  • Consider alternatives: If you’re describing size, words like “huge,” “massive,” “enormous,” or “large” might be more precise. If you're describing influence, consider words like “dominant,” “influential,” or “leading.”

Let's Practice!

Could you give me a sentence using “giant” in one of the ways we’ve discussed? I can help you refine it if you’d like!

Synonyms for the word giant

Practice with vocabulary giant

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The newly discovered planet is a ______ gas sphere, dwarfing Earth and its celestial neighbors.
  2. Acquiring the smaller startup would make them a technology ______ in the industry, dominating market share.
  3. The construction project required a ______ amount of steel for its superstructure, far exceeding initial estimates.
  4. From the mountaintop, we could see the ______ expanse of the forest below, stretching to the horizon.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The new skyscraper is a truly ______ structure, dominating the city skyline and setting a new architectural benchmark. A) minuscule B) colossal C) modest D) giant E) petite

  2. Which of the following describes a major, influential corporation in its sector, often having widespread market control? A) startup B) conglomerate C) small business D) giant E) sole proprietorship

  3. Successfully launching the new advanced satellite was a ______ leap for the country's space program, opening up unprecedented research opportunities. A) modest B) trivial C) gigantic D) minor E) immense

  4. The new environmental policy received ______ support from stakeholders across the industry, indicating broad consensus. A) limited B) widespread C) partial D) minimal E) extensive

  5. After the news of the merger collapsed, the company's stock experienced a ______ drop, losing a significant portion of its value overnight. A) slight B) precipitous C) negligible D) sharp E) gradual

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sheer scale of the company's operations makes it a dominant force globally. Rewrite the sentence using "giant" as a noun.

  2. The task of overhauling the entire system was extremely challenging. Rewrite the sentence using a word related to "giant" as an adjective.

  3. The organization faced a huge obstacle in securing the necessary funding for the ambitious research project. Rewrite the sentence, replacing "huge obstacle" with a suitable alternative (do not use "giant" or related forms).

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The newly discovered planet is a giant gas sphere, dwarfing Earth and its celestial neighbors.
  2. Acquiring the smaller startup would make them a technology giant in the industry, dominating market share.
  3. The construction project required a massive amount of steel for its superstructure, far exceeding initial estimates.
  4. From the mountaintop, we could see the vast expanse of the forest below, stretching to the horizon.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) colossal, D) giant
  2. B) conglomerate, D) giant
  3. C) gigantic, E) immense
  4. B) widespread, E) extensive
  5. B) precipitous, D) sharp

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company has become a giant in global operations due to its sheer scale.
  2. Overhauling the entire system presented a gigantic task.
  3. The organization faced a formidable impediment in securing the necessary funding for the ambitious research project.

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