goose

[ goos ]

/ gus /

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See synonyms for: goose / geese / goosed / goosing on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural geese

[gees] /gis/ for 1, 2, 4, 8; goos·es for 5-7.

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.

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

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

a silly or foolish person; simpleton.

Slang. a poke between the buttocks to startle.

Informal. anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like: to give the economy a badly needed goose.

a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.

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.

verb (used with object), goosed, goos·ing.

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

Informal.

to prod or urge to action or an emotional reaction: The promise of time off may goose the workers and increase profits.
to strengthen or improve (often followed by up): Let's goose up the stew with some wine.
to increase; raise (often followed by up): to goose up government loans in weak industries.
to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.

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Idioms about goose

cook someone's goose, Informal. to ruin someone's hopes, plans, chances, etc.: His goose was cooked when they found the stolen gems in his pocket.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM goose

gooselike, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use goose in a sentence

“A guy drives up in a 2008 Mercedes, brand new,” Harry S. Connelly Jr. says in the video, according to the Times.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Personal hotspots can get speeds of up to 60 Mb/s down, whereas hotel Wi-Fi can be as slow as 1.5 Mb/s,” Sesar said.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In our headlong quest for a legally perfect society, we don’t take the time to take stock of what‘s been created so far.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The thing [North Korean government] want[s] the most is the non-release of this film,” Schiff said.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A third cabinet member used public funds to pay in an S & M bar.
Japan’s Nasty Nazi-ish Elections|Jake Adelstein|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ajoutez cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficult qu'il y a de tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Neantmoins le vieil Membertou, pere du malade, conceut asss l'affaire, et me promit qu'on s'arresteroit tout ce que j'en dirois.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
En effet un soir, sa femme et enfans l'abandonnerent entierement, et s'en allerent cabaner ailleurs, pensant que c'en estoit vuid.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
People are busy ballooning or driving; shooting like stars along railroads; or migrating like swallows or wild-geese.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Mrs. S. said she was familiar with it from having heard Thomas's orchestra play it in New York.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for goose (1 of 2)

goose¹

/ (ɡuːs) /

noun plural geese (ɡiːs)

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 migratorySee also brent goose, barnacle goose, greylag, snow goose Related adjective: anserine

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

informal a silly person

plural gooses a pressing iron with a long curving handle, used esp by tailors

the flesh of the goose, used as food

all his geese are swans he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing

cook someone's goose informal

to spoil someone's plans
to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc

kill the goose that lays the golden eggs to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needsSee also golden goose

Word Origin for goose

Old English gōs; related to Old Norse gās, Old High German gans, Old Irish gēiss swan, Greek khēn, Sanskrit hainsas

British Dictionary definitions for goose (2 of 2)

goose²

/ (ɡuːs) slang /

verb

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

noun plural gooses

a playful prod in the behind

Word Origin for goose

C19: from goose 1, probably from a comparison with the jabbing of a goose's bill

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for goose

goose

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with goose

goose

In addition to the idioms beginning with goose

goose egg
goose pimples

also see:

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

goose

Idioms about goose

Origin of goose

OTHER WORDS FROM goose

Words related to goose

How to use goose in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for goose (1 of 2)

Word Origin for goose

British Dictionary definitions for goose (2 of 2)

Word Origin for goose

Cultural definitions for goose

Other Idioms and Phrases with goose