goon
Goon (noun) means a thug or hired muscle, especially one who intimidates or fights on someone else's orders. Example: “Two goons stood by the door, arms crossed, daring anyone to step forward.”
How to use goon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a tough hired enforcer, or just a clumsy/foolish person — context tells you which.
Word forms
gooned past tense, gooned past tense, goons plural, goons plural, Goons plural, goons singular, goons singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Two _____ stood by the door, arms crossed, daring anyone to step forward.
Etymology
Shortened from "gooney," originally a sailor's word for the albatross and other big, clumsy seabirds. By the early 1900s it had shifted to mean "stupid person," and the "hired thug" sense took off in the late 1930s, partly thanks to the brutish comic-strip character Alice the Goon in Popeye.
Related words
Rhymes for goon
See all rhymes for goon →Frequently asked questions
What does “goon” mean?
The word “goon” means a thug or hired muscle, especially one who intimidates or fights on someone else's orders. In plain terms, either a tough hired enforcer, or just a clumsy/foolish person — context tells you which.
How do you pronounce “goon”?
“Goon” is pronounced GOON (/ˈɡuːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “goon” in a sentence?
Here is “goon” used in a sentence: “Two goons stood by the door, arms crossed, daring anyone to step forward.”
What part of speech is “goon”?
Depending on how it is used, “goon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “goon” come from?
The word “goon” dates back to around 1900.
Is “goon” a common word?
“Goon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “goon” have?
“Goon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thug or hired muscle, especially one who intimidates or fights on someone else's orders.