gosling

[ goz-ling ]

/ ˈgɒz lɪŋ /

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Definition of gosling

noun

a young goose.

a foolish, inexperienced person.

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Origin of gosling

1375–1425; late Middle English goselyng;see goose, -ling¹; cognate with Old Norse gæslingr

Words nearby gosling

Gose, gosh, goshawk, Goshen, Goslar, gosling, go-slow, gosmore, go so far as to, go south, gospel

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

How to use gosling in a sentence

The gosling's best chance at surviving the jump is to bounce off the cliff on its soft belly.
Barnacle Gosling’s Death-Defying Cliff Dive|Alex Chancey, The Daily Beast Video|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tide is turning, and hopefully those that come after me will get to play heroes that Ryan Gosling could also play.
David Oyelowo on Playing Martin Luther King Jr., Ebola Fears, and Race in Hollywood|Marlow Stern|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whenever the script seems ready to surrender to maudlin excess, Gosling and McAdams are there to pull it back.
A Love Letter to ‘The Notebook,’ a Melodrama That Commits to Its Sentimentality|Teo Bugbee|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At times, Gosling appears to have weightier concerns in mind.
Ryan Gosling’s Bizarre Directorial Debut, ‘Lost River,’ Features Sadism, Warlords, and Rat Murder|Richard Porton|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Gosling is just as adept at wearing what Jannuzzi says is the next trend for summer: the tank top.
Jude Law and the Great Male ‘He-Vage’ Crisis|Tim Teeman|May 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Messieurs Gosling and Clive are instructed to obey your commands whenever you please to send them.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
Last night I found a note from Gosling that he wished to see me this morning.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
Giles Gosling received the adieus of Wayland rather joyfully than otherwise.
Kenilworth|Sir Walter Scott
"That could bode no good to the place he honoured with his residence," said Gosling.
Kenilworth|Sir Walter Scott
He sneered at me and alluded to me as a fresh young gosling, because he was three hundred years older than I was.
Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor (Poems and Yarns)|Bill Nye

British Dictionary definitions for gosling

gosling

/ (ˈɡɒzlɪŋ) /

noun

a young goose

an inexperienced or youthful person

Word Origin for gosling

C15: from Old Norse gæslingr; related to Danish gäsling; see goose 1, -ling 1

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