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noun Common

mice

mys
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Mice (noun) means the plural of "mouse" — small rodents, or the plural of the handheld computer pointing device. Example: “Two mice darted across the kitchen floor when I switched on the light.”

noun
1
The plural of "mouse" — small rodents, or the plural of the handheld computer pointing device.
"Two mice darted across the kitchen floor when I switched on the light."
"The barn was overrun with mice."
"The office supply cupboard had a box of spare computer mice."

How to use mice

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMore than one mouse — either the animal or the computer device.

Common mistake

For the computer accessory, some people jokingly say "mouses," but "mice" is standard and generally preferred, even in tech contexts.

Common pairings
field mice a plague of mice wireless mice
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Word forms

Third person singular
mices
Past tense
miced
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Two _____ darted across the kitchen floor when I switched on the light.

Etymology

From Old English mys, the plural form of mus ("mouse"), which survived intact into Modern English despite most other irregular plurals disappearing over time.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for mice

ice rice dice nice vice trice voice price twice juice spice Alice
See all rhymes for mice →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mice” mean?
The word “mice” means the plural of "mouse" — small rodents, or the plural of the handheld computer pointing device. In plain terms, more than one mouse — either the animal or the computer device.
How do you pronounce “mice”?
“Mice” is pronounced mys (/maɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “mice” in a sentence?
Here is “mice” used in a sentence: “The barn was overrun with mice.”
What part of speech is “mice”?
“Mice” is a noun.
Where does the word “mice” come from?
The word “mice” comes from Old English. From Old English mys, the plural form of mus ("mouse"), which survived intact into Modern English despite most other irregular plurals disappearing over time.
Is “mice” a common word?
“Mice” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the plural of computer mouse — mice or mouses?
Both plurals are used for the computer pointing device, but mice is far more common and is accepted by major dictionaries. Mouses appears occasionally, mainly in technical writing. For the animal, the only standard plural is mice.
Is mice singular or plural?
Mice is the plural form; the singular is mouse. You say "a mouse is" and "the mice are" — "a mice" is always incorrect.
Why is the plural of mouse mice and not mouses?
Mouse forms its plural with an internal vowel change rather than by adding -s, following the same pattern as louse and lice. This irregular plural survives from earlier stages of English, which is why it simply has to be memorised.
What is the difference between mice and rats?
Both are rodents, but mice are small, with slender bodies and thin tails, while rats are noticeably larger and heavier. The words name different animals and are not interchangeable.

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