goose
goose Lexical Profile
goose Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, web-footed waterbird of the family Anatidae (genera Anser and Branta), intermediate in size between a duck and a swan, having a long neck, short legs, and a broad bill, or specifically the female of such a bird.
"A flock of wild geese flew southward in a distinct V-formation across the autumn sky."
The rich, dark meat of a goose prepared and cooked for eating, traditionally served roasted during winter holidays.
"For the festive dinner, the chef prepared roast goose served with spiced apple compote."
A foolish, simple, or silly person.
"She laughed and called her younger brother a silly goose for forgetting his own birthday."
A heavy smoothing iron with a curved handle shaped like a goose's neck, historically used by tailors for pressing seams.
"The historical exhibit featured a pair of heavy cast-iron tailor's gooses from the nineteenth century."
• verb
To boost, prod, or increase the energy, speed, or output of something, such as an engine or an economy (informal).
"The central bank lowered interest rates in an effort to goose the sluggish housing market."
To poke or pinch someone playfully or unexpectedly in the buttocks (informal).
"Startled by the sudden poke, he jumped forward and spilled his drink."
Word Nuance & Usage
The standard plural for the bird is the irregular form 'geese', whereas the plural for the tailor's smoothing iron is the regular form 'gooses'. Strictly speaking, 'goose' refers to the female bird, while the male is a 'gander' and the young is a 'gosling'.
• Rhymes for goose
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'gos' (plural 'ges'), of Proto-Germanic origin and ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root imitating the bird's honking call.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.