mice
Mice (noun) means the plural of "mouse" — small rodents, or the plural of the handheld computer pointing device. Example: “The barn was overrun with mice.”
How to use mice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than one mouse — either the animal or the computer device.
For the computer accessory, some people jokingly say "mouses," but "mice" is standard and generally preferred, even in tech contexts.
Word forms
miced past tense, mices singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The barn was overrun with _____.
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.
Rhymes for mice
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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