goose

American  

[goos] / gus /

noun

plural

geese, gooses

1. any of numerous wild or domesticated, web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, especially of the genera Anser and Branta, most of which are larger and have a longer neck and legs than the ducks.

2. a female bird of the family Anatidae, especially of genera Anser and Branta, as distinguished from the male, or gander.

3. the flesh of a bird of the family Anatidae, especially of genera Anser and Branta, used as food.

4. a silly or foolish person; simpleton.

5. Slang. a poke between the buttocks to startle.

6. Informal. anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like.

   to give the economy a badly needed goose.

7. a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.

8. an obsolete board game played with dice and counters in which a player whose cast falls in a square containing the picture of a goose is allowed to advance double the number of their throw.

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verb (used with object)

goosed, goosing

1. Slang. to poke (a person) between the buttocks to startle.

2. Informal.

   1. to prod or urge to action or an emotional reaction.

      The promise of time off may goose the workers and increase profits.

   2. to strengthen or improve (often followed byup ).

      Let's goose up the stew with some wine.

   3. to increase; raise (often followed byup ).

      to goose up government loans in weak industries.

   4. to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.

idioms

1. cook someone's goose, to ruin someone's hopes, plans, chances, etc..

   His goose was cooked when they found the stolen gems in his pocket.

goose ¹ British  

/ ɡuːs /

noun

1. any of various web-footed long-necked birds of the family Anatidae: order Anseriformes. They are typically larger and less aquatic than ducks and are gregarious and migratory See also brent goose barnacle goose greylag snow goose

2. the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (gander)

3. informal a silly person

4. a pressing iron with a long curving handle, used esp by tailors

5. the flesh of the goose, used as food

6. he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing

7. informal

   1. to spoil someone's plans

   2. to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc

8. to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needs See also golden goose

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goose ² British  

/ ɡuːs /

verb

1. (tr) to prod (a person) playfully in the behind

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noun

1. a playful prod in the behind

goose Cultural  

1. One's chances are ruined: “After the recent disclosures of foul play, political analysts feel that the candidate's goose is now thoroughly cooked.”

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goose More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing goose

• cook someone's goose
• gone coon (goose)
• kill the goose that laid the golden eggs
• sauce for the goose
• wild goose chase

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Other Word Forms

• gooselike adjective

Etymology

Origin of goose

First recorded before 1000; Middle English gose, goos, Old English gōs (plural gēs ); cognate with German Gans, Old Norse gās; compare Sanskrit haṅsa, Greek chḗn, Latin ānser

Example Sentences

The firm believes the Cybercab, which is slated to enter production in early 2026, will be “the golden goose” for the company and could drive Tesla to a $2 trillion market capitalization next year.

From Barron's

"I got goose bumps when I first read the script," the British actress tells the BBC, adding she had five auditions for the role.

From BBC

Christmas was coming, but this goose wasn’t getting fat.

From The Wall Street Journal

A woman said she was left "terrified" after a goose crashed through her front door as she watched television.

From BBC

After several months waiting on a review from Los Angeles County Building and Safety, she said she goosed the process along by sitting in the county office on Woodbury Avenue during her lunch breaks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• activate
• breed
• bring about
• cause
• coax
• convince
• engender
• generate
• lead to
• motivate
• persuade
• produce
• promote
• prompt
• urge