gander

¹

[ gan-der ]

noun

1. the male of the goose. Compare goose ( def 2 ).
2. Slang. a look:

   Take a gander at his new shoes.

Gander

²

[ gan-der ]

noun

1. a town in E Newfoundland, in Canada: airport on the great circle route between New York and northern Europe.

gander

/ ˈɡændə /

noun

1. a male goose
2. informal.
   a quick look (esp in the phrase take ( or have ) a gander )
3. informal.
   a simpleton

Word History and Origins

Origin of gander¹

before 1000; 1910–15 gander fordef 2; Middle English; Old English gan ( d ) ra; cognate with Middle Low German ganre, Dutch gander; akin to goose, German Gans

Word History and Origins

Origin of gander¹

Old English gandra, ganra; related to Low German and Dutch gander and to gannet

Idioms and Phrases

see take a gander at .

Example Sentences

Khem’s shift doesn’t start for another 15 minutes or so, but without complaint she walks behind the counter and takes a gander.

From Seattle Times

Tanya Juarez and her friend Troy Medina sat on a bench, taking a gander at the paddle boats shaped not like geese, but like swans.

From Los Angeles Times

A candy store in Ocean Shores, Washington, had an unusual visitor: A young buck wandered in through the automatic doors and took a gander at the confections on display.

From Washington Times

What’s good for the conservative goose is good for the liberal gander.

From Los Angeles Times

If you haven’t seen the planet before, right now is the best time to take a gander.

From Scientific American