gryphon

IPA/ˈɡrɪfən/
IPA/ˈɡrɪfən/

gryphon — noun

1. a creature from traditional stories that combines an eagle's head and wings with

1.nounC2
Definition

a creature from traditional stories that combines an eagle's head and wings with the back half of a lion

Example

A bronze gryphon watches over the stone steps outside the museum.

gryphon as a guardian statue

In the novel, Queen Samira rides a gryphon across the desert cliffs.

ride a gryphon in fantasy narrative

Common collocations
  • bronze gryphon
  • gryphon statue
  • gryphon banner
  • ride a gryphon
Synonyms
  • griffin

    the more common modern spelling for the same legendary creature

  • griffon

    another spelling, often seen in older or fantasy-style writing

  • mythical creature

    a broad label that includes many unreal beings, not just this eagle-lion one

Usage Note

Often appears in fantasy stories, coats of arms, and decorative carvings. The creature is usually shown as strong and protective, so it often stands above gates, shields, or thrones.

Common Mistakes

A gryphon is a real bird that lives in the mountains.
A gryphon is a mythical creature from old stories.
a gryphon belongs to legend, not to the natural world.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A gryphon and a griffin are the same legendary animal; the difference is mainly spelling, with griffin more common in modern English. A dragon is also a mythical beast, but it is usually shown as a reptile that breathes fire, not as a creature made from eagle and lion parts. A unicorn is another famous story-animal, yet it looks like a horse with one horn and carries very different associations such as purity or magic. If a story describes a winged guardian on a castle gate, gryphon or griffin is the best choice. If the creature coils like a giant snake or flies while breathing fire, use dragon instead.

gryphon ↗griffin ↗dragon ↗unicorn ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • gryphon on a shield
  • gryphon at the gate

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word goes back to Greek 'gryps', the name of this hooked-beaked legendary creature. It passed through Latin and French before English developed spellings such as 'griffin' and 'gryphon' for the same mythic animal.