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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile Nathan Johnson’s score of scratchy cellos and foreboding horns pairs well with a dramatic burst of organ music — one of many goofy-great jump scares goosed up by the editor Bob Ducsay.

From Los Angeles Times

Before his campaign, he worked at a surf shop and as a political journalist at Vogue—all the while acting as a self-proclaimed “silly goose” via social media.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ducks and geese must be raised separately from other birds, and poultry will be banned from fairs, exhibitions, and cultural events.

From Barron's

In 2024, he was announced as Vogue's political correspondent in the lead-up to the US election, in part due to what the publication called his "silly goose" antics online.

From BBC

Instead, the main agents of colonization appear to be gulls, geese, and shorebirds, which carried seeds in their digestive systems or droppings.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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