silverback

IPA/ˈsɪlvəbæk/
IPA/ˈsɪlvərbæk/

silverback — noun

  • silverbacksingular
  • silverbacksplural

1. An adult male gorilla, usually the oldest and strongest member of a group, whose

1.名詞B2
釋義

An adult male gorilla, usually the oldest and strongest member of a group, whose silver or grey back fur marks its authority over the rest of the troop.

例句

The silverback led his troop through the dense forest to find fresh fruit trees.

When a younger male challenged him, the silverback beat his chest and let out a loud roar.

collocation: beat one's chest to show dominance

同義詞
  • dominant male

    broader term that applies to many animal species, not just gorillas

  • alpha male

    can refer to any animal group's top-ranking male, but is less precise for gorillas

反義詞

文法句型

silverback + verb (singular)

用法筆記

Countable noun. When speaking generally, 'the silverback' refers to the single dominant male of a gorilla troop; a group can have only one at a time.

常見錯誤

❌A young male gorilla is a silverback.
✅A young male gorilla becomes a silverback when he is old enough and his back fur turns grey.
💡Silverback specifically refers to an older male with silver back hair, not any male gorilla.
❌I saw three silverbacks in the zoo enclosure.
✅I saw one silverback with several younger gorillas in the zoo enclosure.
💡A gorilla troop typically has only one silverback.

2. An older man, especially in a workplace, organisation, or family, who expects to

2.名詞C1
釋義

An older man, especially in a workplace, organisation, or family, who expects to make all important decisions and does not welcome challenges to his authority.

例句

The company's silverback rejected every new proposal that did not come from him personally.

pattern: possessive + silverback + rejects idea from others

At the board meeting, the retired general acted like a silverback and spoke over anyone who disagreed.

同義詞
  • alpha male

    also borrowed from animal behaviour; broader and more frequently used for human dominance

  • patriarch

    emphasises family or community leadership and suggests respect rather than intimidation

  • bigwig

    more informal, focuses on rank and influence rather than age or dominance style

反義詞
  • subordinate

    a person with less power or rank in an organisation

  • follower

    someone who accepts direction from others rather than imposing it

文法句型

the [possessive] silverback

a silverback + verb

用法筆記

Figurative, informal. Usually preceded by 'the' or a possessive determiner (e.g., 'the office silverback', 'the family silverback'). Common in workplace or family settings to describe a person whose control derives from seniority rather than official rank.

常見錯誤

❌My dad is seventy, so he is the silverback of our family.
✅My dad makes every big decision and no one argues with him
💡he is the silverback of our family.' — The word implies active control and dominance, not merely old age.
❌She is the silverback of the sales team.
✅He is the silverback of the sales team.
💡The term is almost exclusively used for men, based on its gorilla origin.