goose

[goos]

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.

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.

goose

¹

/ 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

goose

²

/ ɡuːs /

verb

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

noun

1. a playful prod in the behind

goose

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.”

Other Word Forms

• gooselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of goose¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of goose¹

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

Origin of goose²

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile Nathan Johnson’s score of scratchy cellos and foreboding horns pairs well with a dramatic burst of organ music — one of many goofy-great jump scares goosed up by the editor Bob Ducsay.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Measuring spoons, castor oil—blech!—a large cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid, moldy apples, goose fat, rinds of cheese...”

Read more on Literature

All up and down Penelope’s arms, her skin turned to goose bumps.

Read more on Literature

Penelope felt goose bumps prickle on the back of her neck.

Read more on Literature

Before his campaign, he worked at a surf shop and as a political journalist at Vogue—all the while acting as a self-proclaimed “silly goose” via social media.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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