noun
gosling
GOZ-lihng
Gosling (noun) means a young goose. Example: “The goslings followed their mother single file to the pond.”
noun
1
A young goose.
"The goslings followed their mother single file to the pond."
2
An inexperienced, naive young person.
"Fresh out of school, he was still a bit of a gosling in the newsroom."
How to use gosling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA baby goose, or figuratively, someone young and inexperienced.
Common pairings
a fluffy gosling
green as a gosling
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Word forms
- Plural
- goslings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ followed their mother single file to the pond.
Etymology
From Old Norse gæsling, combining "goose" with the diminutive ending "-ling," the same pattern seen in words like "duckling."
Frequently asked questions
What does “gosling” mean?
The word “gosling” means a young goose. In plain terms, a baby goose, or figuratively, someone young and inexperienced.
How do you pronounce “gosling”?
“Gosling” is pronounced GOZ-lihng (/ˈɡɑzlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gosling” in a sentence?
Here is “gosling” used in a sentence: “The goslings followed their mother single file to the pond.”
What part of speech is “gosling”?
“Gosling” is a noun.
Where does the word “gosling” come from?
The word “gosling” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse gæsling, combining "goose" with the diminutive ending "-ling," the same pattern seen in words like "duckling.".
How many meanings does “gosling” have?
“Gosling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young goose.
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