First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1goose
noun \ˈgüs\
: any one of many different kinds of birds that swim, that are larger than ducks, and that have a long neck and webbed feet
: a female goose
: the meat of a goose used as food
plural geese \ˈgēs\
Full Definition of GOOSE
1
a : any of numerous large waterfowl (family Anatidae) that are intermediate between the swans and ducks and have long necks, feathered lores, and reticulate tarsi b : a female goose as distinguished from a gander
3
plural goos·es : a tailor's smoothing iron with a gooseneck handle
4
plural goos·es : a poke between the buttocks
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Origin of GOOSE
Middle English gos, from Old English gōs; akin to Old High German gans goose, Latin anser, Greek chēn
Related to GOOSE
- Synonyms
- berk [British], booby, charlie (also charley) [British], cuckoo, ding-a-ling, dingbat, ding-dong, dipstick, doofus [slang], featherhead, git [British], fool, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, mooncalf, nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, nut, nutcase, simp, simpleton, turkey, yo-yo
2goose
verb
: to touch or pinch (someone) on the buttocks
: to increase the activity or amount of (something)
goosedgoos·ing
Full Definition of GOOSE
transitive verb
1
: to poke between the buttocks with an upward thrust
2
: to increase the activity, speed, power, intensity, or amount of : spur <an effort to goose newsstand sales>
See goose defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GOOSE
circa 1880
GOOSE Defined for Kids
goose
noun \ˈgüs\
plural geese \ˈgēs\
Definition of GOOSE for Kids
1
: a waterbird with webbed feet that is related to the smaller duck and the larger swan
2
: a female goose
3
: the meat of a goose used as food
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