dragon

dragon — noun

1. in old stories and fantasy books, a giant flying reptile that breathes flames an

1.nounA2
Definition

in old stories and fantasy books, a giant flying reptile that breathes flames and has sharp claws and a long, powerful tail

Example

Selim painted a green dragon with golden wings for the school art project.

In the old story, a brave knight fights a dragon living in a dark cave.

fights a dragon — typical verb for confronting mythical creatures

Common collocations
  • breathe fire like a dragon
  • fight a dragon
  • dragon's lair
  • slay a dragon
Synonyms
  • mythical beast

    a more general term for any imaginary animal, not just a dragon

  • serpent

    often means a snake-like creature; some dragons are shown as serpents, but not all serpents have wings or breathe fire

  • wyvern

    a specific dragon-like creature from European legends with two legs and a barbed tail, not four legs

Usage Note

In East Asian cultures, dragons are usually wise and helpful creatures that bring good fortune and control the rain — very different from the dangerous, fire-breathing dragons of European stories.

Common Mistakes

Chinese people believe the dragon is a bad animal.
Chinese people believe the dragon is a lucky animal.
In Chinese culture, dragons are seen as kind and bring good luck, unlike in Western stories.

2. a type of large lizard found in parts of Asia and Australia, the best known bein

2.nounB1
Definition

a type of large lizard found in parts of Asia and Australia, the best known being the Komodo dragon of Indonesia

Example

The zookeeper told the children that Komodo dragons can weigh as much as a person.

Komodo dragon — the compound noun used for the largest living lizard species

Hoa keeps a bearded dragon as a pet and feeds it fresh vegetables every morning.

Common collocations
  • Komodo dragon
  • bearded dragon
  • water dragon
Synonyms
  • monitor lizard

    the family name for large lizards including the Komodo dragon; more scientific in tone

  • goanna

    used in Australia for certain monitor lizards, less common in general English

Usage Note

Most often appears in compound names: 'Komodo dragon,' 'bearded dragon,' or 'water dragon.' These are different species, not related to the mythical creature of sense 1. In Taiwan, 科摩多巨蜥 (Komodo dragon) is the standard term.

Common Mistakes

I saw a dragon at the zoo' (meaning a Komodo dragon, but the listener imagines a flying, fire-breathing creature).
I saw a Komodo dragon at the zoo.
Specify 'Komodo dragon' to avoid confusion with the mythical creature.

3. a term used as an insult toward a woman that others view as bossy, harsh, or fri

3.nounB2
Definition

a term used as an insult toward a woman that others view as bossy, harsh, or frightening, especially one in a position of authority

Example

The article called the manager a dragon for expecting her team to work hard.

called [someone] a dragon — a pejorative label used with the verb 'call'

Kemi told her brother not to call their aunt a dragon — it is a rude word.

Common collocations
  • call someone a dragon
  • described as a dragon
  • a real dragon
Synonyms
  • shrew

    an old-fashioned, offensive word for a woman who argues a lot; similar in register but even more dated

  • battle-axe

    an informal, offensive term for a woman seen as aggressive or bossy; similar level of offensiveness

Antonyms
  • gentle soul

    a kind and calm person, the opposite of a frightening or aggressive one

Usage Note

This sense is considered offensive and old-fashioned. It is most often directed at women in leadership roles. The male equivalent (e.g., calling a man a dragon in this sense) is very rare. Learners should avoid using this word to describe a person.

Common Mistakes

My boss is such a dragon' (said in a joking tone, but still offensive).
My boss is very strict.
Use neutral words like 'strict' or 'firm' instead.
Idioms

dragon lady

idiom

a disapproving term for an Asian woman in a position of power who is seen as strict, cold, or frightening; based on a stereotype from an old comic strip

The business magazine unfairly described the CEO as a dragon lady, focusing on her strict style instead of her success.

dragon's breath

idiom

a dramatic name for something extremely hot or spicy, such as a very hot chili pepper or a weapon that shoots flames

Vinícius dared his friend to try a chili called dragon's breath and immediately needed a glass of milk.

Word family

  • dragonfly
    nounB1
  • dragon-like
    adjectiveC1
  • dragonesque
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A dragon is usually a large, winged reptile that breathes fire, appearing in myths across many cultures. A monster is a much broader term — any frightening imaginary creature, including dragons, giants, or ghosts. A wyvern is a specific dragon-like creature from European legends with only two legs and a barbed tail, not the four legs of a classic dragon. In folklore, a serpent is a huge snake, often wingless, such as the Midgard Serpent in Norse tales — while some dragons look serpent-like, not all serpents breathe fire or fly. A mythical beast is the most general term and covers any legendary animal. In Chinese traditions, a 龍 (lóng) is a dragon but is seen as wise and lucky, very different from the fire-breathing villain of European tales. In practice, if you read 'the knight fought a dragon', it is probably a fire-breathing creature; if you read 'a mythical beast guarded the temple', it could be any kind of legendary animal.

monster ↗wyvernserpent ↗mythical beast

Common collocations

Nouns

  • dragon boat
  • dragon dance
  • dragon fruit
  • dragon kite
  • dragon statue

Phrases

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'dragon' comes from Latin 'dracō,' meaning a large serpent or dragon, which was borrowed from Greek 'drákōn,' meaning a serpent or a huge sea creature. It entered English through Old French 'dragon' during the Middle Ages. In ancient stories, the Greek 'drákōn' often guarded treasures or sacred places, a theme that carried into later European dragon legends.