gander

¹ American  

[gan-der] / ˈgæn dər /

noun

1. the male of the goose.

2. Slang. a look.

   Take a gander at his new shoes.

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Gander ² American  

[gan-der] / ˈgæn dər /

noun

1. a town in E Newfoundland, in Canada: airport on the great circle route between New York and northern Europe.

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gander British  

/ ˈɡændə /

noun

1. a male goose

2. informal a quick look (esp in the phrase take ( or have ) a gander )

3. informal a simpleton

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gander Idioms  

1. see take a gander at.

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Etymology

Origin of gander

before 1000; 1910–15 gander for def. 2; Middle English; Old English gan ( d ) ra; cognate with Middle Low German ganre, Dutch gander; akin to goose, German Gans

Explanation

A gander is a male goose, and also an insult meaning "simpleton," a bit like calling someone "a silly goose." Besides being the proper name for a male goose and a slang word for silly man, the word gander also shows up in the idiom "take a gander." The slang sense of gander comes from the meaning recorded in 1886, to take a long look by craning one's neck like a goose, or wander foolishly (again, like a goose).

Example Sentences

Don’t take our word for it—take a gander at developments in commodity prices besides energy, or financial gaming parlors such as the private-credit market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Go on and take a gander at the ingredients list.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

Khem’s shift doesn’t start for another 15 minutes or so, but without complaint she walks behind the counter and takes a gander.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2023

A candy store in Ocean Shores, Washington, had an unusual visitor: A young buck wandered in through the automatic doors and took a gander at the confections on display.

From Washington Times • Aug. 29, 2023

A sentimental one was: Wild and free, wild and free, Bring back my gander to me, to me.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White