giantess
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dʒˈaɪəntˌɛs/
US
- /ˈd͡ʒaɪəntɛs/noun
Description
- A female giant
- huge woman in myth
- very large female figure
The word "giantess" usually refers to a female giant, the kind you meet in myths, fairy tales, and fantasy stories. It brings to mind someone far bigger than an ordinary human, often strong, powerful, and a little frightening. You will often see giantesses in stories beside giants, as rulers, enemies, mothers, or magical beings. The word has a strongly mythical feel, so people do not often use it for a real woman, even if she is unusually tall. In Norse mythology, for example, female Jotnar are important and powerful figures.
"Giantess" is a noun that describes a female giant—a being of immense size and strength, frequently found in folklore, mythology, and fantasy literature. It's more than just a way to describe a tall woman; it implies a creature beyond human proportions, often possessing supernatural qualities or origins.
Historically, the term appears prominently in Norse mythology, where Jotnar (often translated as "giants") were powerful beings who predated the gods. Female Jotnar, or giantesses, played significant roles in these myths, sometimes as adversaries of the gods and sometimes as their lovers or the mothers of heroes. These were not always monstrous figures; some were described as beautiful, wise, or deeply mysterious.
In modern fantasy, a giantess might be a kind protector, a fearsome enemy, or simply an inhabitant of a world where extraordinary size is normal. The idea appears in many kinds of stories, where such a figure can inspire wonder, fear, or awe just by her scale.
While you could technically use "giantess" to describe any woman who is exceptionally tall, it is generally reserved for fantastical contexts. Using it casually in a modern setting could sound odd or even objectifying. It is a word steeped in myth and imagination, conjuring images of powerful, larger-than-life women from the realms of legend.
Examples
- 1
Folktale
In the folktale, a giantess lived alone on the far side of the mountain.
Usage
usually used in myths, fairy tales, and fantasy
- 2
Story rescue
The children in the story are rescued by a kind giantess who hides them in her kitchen.
- 3
Modern retellings
Modern retellings often portray the giantess as a tragic character rather than a monster.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- giantessnoun
Forms
- giantessespluralnoun