goose

[ goos ]

/ gus /

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.

the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male, or gander.

the flesh of a goose, 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 his or her 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.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.

Question 1 of 9

You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?

To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.

To stew in a sauce for a long time.

To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for 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

Words nearby goose

goop, goopy, goorie, go or no-go, goosander, goose, goose barnacle, Goose Bay, gooseberry, gooseberry bush, gooseberry stone

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for goose

I wandered around aimlessly for a while, then gave the goose to an acquiescent hippy on a barge.
The Life and Art of Radical Provocateur—and Commune Leader—Otto Muehl|Anthony Haden-Guest|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus continued a goose chase that produced, well, a goose egg.
Teaching a Lesson to Bullies and Educators Alike|Moral Courage|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Let me goose A&E as they duck for cover over their botched handling of the Phil Robertson mess.
A&E Ducks for Cover by Forgiving Phil Robertson|Michael Musto|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Outdoor explorer shows featuring real-life people in extreme climates tend to feature Canada Goose coats, he noted.
The Cult of Canada Goose|Keli Goff|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

According to reports from his salespeople, various Korean celebrities have been spotted in Canada Goose products in recent years.
The Cult of Canada Goose|Keli Goff|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"What's sauce fo' the goose ought to be sauce fo' the gander," argued the ex-moonshiner.
A Tar-Heel Baron|Mabell Shippie Clarke Pelton
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (Was also dem Einen recht ist, muss dem Andern billig sein).
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3)|Alexander Wheelock Thayer
He took her by the shoulders and turned her round and round before it as one roasts a goose.
The Web of the Golden Spider|Frederick Orin Bartlett
I kant tell now whether a goose stands on one leg so mutch to rest the leg az to rest the goose.
The Complete Works of Josh Billings|Henry W. Shaw
His discretion, I am sure, cannot carry his valour, for the goose carries not the fox.
History of English Humour, Vol. 1 (of 2)|Alfred Guy Kingan L'Estrange

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.”

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

goose

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

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