goose

[ goos ]

noun

, plural geese [gees] goos·es

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.

verb (used with object)

, goosed, goos·ing.

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 by up ):

      Let's goose up the stew with some wine.

   3. to increase; raise (often followed by up ):

      to goose up government loans in weak industries.

   4. to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.

goose

¹

/ ɡuːs /

verb

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

noun

1. a playful prod in the behind

goose

²

/ 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 anserine
2. the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (gander)
3. informal.
   a silly person
4. gooses a pressing iron with a long curving handle, used esp by tailors
5. the flesh of the goose, used as food
6. all his geese are swans
   he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing
7. cook someone's goose informal.
   1. to spoil someone's plans
   2. to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc
8. kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
   to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needs See also golden goose

goose

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.”

Other Words From

• gooselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of goose¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of goose¹

C19: from goose ¹, probably from a comparison with the jabbing of a goose's bill

Origin of goose²

Old English gōs; related to Old Norse gās, Old High German gans, Old Irish gēiss swan, Greek khēn, Sanskrit hainsas

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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.

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

Example Sentences

Mr Justice Julian Goose told the court the defendant had "chosen" not to say anything and ordered a further preparatory hearing ahead of the trial to take place in December.

From BBC

Cey, the stout slugger who was nicknamed “Penguin,” was hit in the head by a Goose Gossage fastball in the eighth inning of Game 5 and carted off the field.

From Los Angeles Times

At sentencing, Mr Justice Goose described Crawley as a "highly dangerous young man" who inflicted "callous cruelty" on Paul Taylor.

From BBC

Carr's investigation into Fegan led her on a wild goose chase leading to a confrontation with "Tara."

From Salon

First-year coach Jake Goossen inherited this improbable occurrence but perhaps it was part of his journey because his mother, Sandi, was one of 10 children and the founder of Ten Goose Boxing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• catalyst
• desire
• encouragement
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• inclination
• interest
• motive
• reason
• wish