mongoose
Mongoose (noun) means a small, agile carnivorous mammal known for its speed and famous ability to kill venomous snakes. Example: “The mongoose darted around the cobra, waiting for an opening to strike.”
How to use mongoose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, fast, snake-killing mammal found mainly in Africa and Asia.
The plural is "mongooses," never "mongeese" — despite how it looks, the word has nothing to do with goose.
Word forms
mongooses plural, mongeese plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ darted around the cobra, waiting for an opening to strike.
Etymology
From Portuguese manguço, borrowed from a Marathi word for the animal that traces back to an old Dravidian root. The English spelling was later reshaped by folk association with "goose" — the plural is properly "mongooses," not "mongeese."
Rhymes for mongoose
See all rhymes for mongoose →Frequently asked questions
What does “mongoose” mean?
The word “mongoose” means a small, agile carnivorous mammal known for its speed and famous ability to kill venomous snakes. In plain terms, a small, fast, snake-killing mammal found mainly in Africa and Asia.
How do you pronounce “mongoose”?
“Mongoose” is pronounced MONG-goos (/ˈmɑŋ.ɡus/ in IPA).
How do you use “mongoose” in a sentence?
Here is “mongoose” used in a sentence: “The mongoose darted around the cobra, waiting for an opening to strike.”
What part of speech is “mongoose”?
“Mongoose” is a noun.
Where does the word “mongoose” come from?
The word “mongoose” comes from Portuguese.
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