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

Explanation

A goose is a large bird with webbed feet. Geese hang out around ponds and lakes, fly in a V formation, and make a distinct honking noise. Geese are classified as waterfowl, birds that live at least part of the time in a body of water. If someone calls you a goose, it's mildly insulting: they're saying you're silly. Many other common phrases use goose, including "a wild goose chase," which means a hopeless pursuit or waste of time, and "your goose is cooked," which translates to "you are in big trouble!"

Example Sentences

Tourism vouchers can goose spending over a holiday.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Then there are 1997 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green cards, which just by typing that highfalutin name can give even the most savvy collector goose bumps.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

On the heels of ABC recruiting two other Mormon Wives, Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, to compete on “Dancing with the Stars,” sending one to goose “The Bachelorette”’s declining ratings made synergistic sense.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Nobody would ever give a damn about Cats in Hats or Green Eggs and Ham, and the world wouldn't have a golden goose - the madly magnificent Dr. Seuss.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

By this time, Gandy was sure that his little goose world was coming to an end, and he was very unhappy about it.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

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