goose

[ goos ]
See synonyms for goose on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural geese [gees] /gis/ for 1, 2, 4, 8; goos·es for 5-7.
  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.

  1. the flesh of a bird of the family Anatidae, especially of genera Anser and Branta, used as food.

  2. a silly or foolish person; simpleton.

  3. Slang. a poke between the buttocks to startle.

  4. Informal. anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like: to give the economy a badly needed goose.

  5. a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.

  6. 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, goos·ing.
  1. Slang. to poke (a person) between the buttocks to startle.

  2. 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.

Idioms about goose

  1. 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

1
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use goose in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for goose (1 of 2)

goose1

/ (ɡuːs) /


nounplural geese (ɡiːs)
  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 Related adjective: anserine

  2. the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (gander)

  1. informal a silly person

  2. plural gooses a pressing iron with a long curving handle, used esp by tailors

  3. the flesh of the goose, used as food

  4. all his geese are swans he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing

  5. cook someone's goose informal

    • to spoil someone's plans

    • to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc

  6. kill the goose that lays the golden eggs to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needs: See also golden goose

Origin of goose

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

nounplural gooses
  1. a playful prod in the behind

Origin of goose

2
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.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other 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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.