goose
goos
Goose (noun) means a large web-footed waterfowl, related to but bigger than a duck, often kept as farm poultry or hunted as game. Example: “A flock of geese flew south in a neat V formation.”
noun
1
A large web-footed waterfowl, related to but bigger than a duck, often kept as farm poultry or hunted as game.
"A flock of geese flew south in a neat V formation."
"They roasted a goose for the holiday dinner."
"The goose hissed loudly at anyone who walked too close to its pond."
2
A foolish or silly person.
"Don't be such a goose — of course it's a joke."
"You silly goose, you left your keys in the fridge again!"
"I felt like a proper goose when I read the map upside down."
verb
1
To poke or pinch someone sharply on the buttocks, often as a prank.
"He goosed his friend in the hallway and got a shout of surprise."
2
To give something a sudden boost or push, especially by pressing the accelerator.
"She goosed the engine to merge before the gap closed."
"He goosed the throttle and the little boat leapt forward."
"The driver goosed the accelerator to get up the steep hill."
How to use goose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bird most people picture, plus a couple of playful extra meanings — a silly person, or a quick jab/boost.
Common mistake
The plural is "geese," not "gooses."
Common pairings
a flock of geese
goose the throttle
silly goose
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Word forms
- Plural
- geese
- Third person singular
- gooses
- Past tense
- goosed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They roasted a _____ for the holiday dinner.
Etymology
From Old English gōs, an ancient word going back through Germanic languages to a Proto-Indo-European root also found in Latin ānser and Sanskrit haṃsá — essentially the same word for "goose" across a huge family of languages.
Related words
Rhymes for goose
See all rhymes for goose →Frequently asked questions
What does “goose” mean?
The word “goose” means a large web-footed waterfowl, related to but bigger than a duck, often kept as farm poultry or hunted as game. In plain terms, the bird most people picture, plus a couple of playful extra meanings — a silly person, or a quick jab/boost.
How do you pronounce “goose”?
“Goose” is pronounced goos (/ɡus/ in IPA).
How do you use “goose” in a sentence?
Here is “goose” used in a sentence: “They roasted a goose for the holiday dinner.”
What part of speech is “goose”?
Depending on how it is used, “goose” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “goose” come from?
The word “goose” comes from Latin.
Is “goose” a common word?
“Goose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “goose” have?
“Goose” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large web-footed waterfowl, related to but bigger than a duck, often kept as farm poultry or hunted as game.
What is the difference between a goose and a duck?
A goose is a large web-footed waterfowl related to but bigger than a duck, with a longer neck and typically a louder honking call. Both are farmed and hunted as game, but geese are generally larger, more territorial, and often mate for life, while ducks tend to be smaller and more varied in species.
What does it mean to call someone a 'goose'?
Used informally about a person, "goose" means a foolish or silly person, similar to calling someone a fool. It is a mild, often affectionate way of teasing someone about a silly mistake.
What does it mean to 'goose' an engine or a process?
As a verb, to goose something means to give it a sudden boost or push, especially by pressing the accelerator in a vehicle, such as "goose the throttle." It can also be used more broadly for giving anything a quick jolt of extra effort or speed.
Why is a group of geese called a 'gaggle'?
A group of geese on the ground is traditionally called a gaggle, while a group in flight is called a skein or wedge. These are examples of English's tradition of specific collective nouns for different birds and animals.
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