goose

1 of 2

noun

plural geese ˈgēs How to pronounce goose (audio)
1
a
: any of numerous large waterfowl (family Anatidae) that are intermediate between the swans and ducks and have long necks, feathered lores, and reticulate tarsi
b
: a female goose as distinguished from a gander
2
3
plural gooses : a tailor's smoothing iron with a gooseneck handle
4
plural gooses : a poke between the buttocks

goose

2 of 2

verb

goosed; goosing

transitive verb

1
: to poke between the buttocks with an upward thrust
2
: to increase the activity, speed, power, intensity, or amount of : spur
an effort to goose newsstand sales

Examples of goose in a Sentence

Noun don't be such a silly goose—you're dressed just fine for the party
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And now that silly goose still out here shaking dat a** for drake every day. Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 18 July 2025 Two summers ago, as a group of people used their cars to stop traffic to help a gaggle of 150 to 200 geese cross a road in Henderson, Nevada, a driver went around them and struck at least nine geese, a witness told ABC affiliate KTNV. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Verb
Call me cynical, but the union bosses, all those new government workers and all the old ones with huge raises on March 2028 are going to remember who goosed their pay. John Seiler, Oc Register, 15 May 2025 Corinth also said when there's such a severe housing shortage like now, federal subsidies can goose the market and push up prices for everyone. Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for goose

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gos, from Old English gōs; akin to Old High German gans goose, Latin anser, Greek chēn

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of goose was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goose. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

goose

noun
ˈgüs
plural geese
ˈgēs
1
a
: any of numerous birds with long necks that are larger than the related ducks and smaller than swans
b
: a female goose in contrast to a gander
2
: a person lacking in common sense
3
plural gooses : an iron with a gooseneck handle used by tailors for smoothing clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on goose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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