goose

¹goose

noun \ˈgüs\

plural geese \ˈgēs\

Definition of GOOSE

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

: simpleton, dolt

3

plural goos·es : a tailor's smoothing iron with a gooseneck handle

4

plural goos·es : a poke between the buttocks

Examples of GOOSE

1. <don't be such a silly goose—you're dressed just fine for the party>

Origin of GOOSE

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GOOSE

Synonyms

berk [British], booby, charlie (also charley) [British], cuckoo, ding-a-ling, dingbat, ding-dong, dipstick, doofus [slang], featherhead, git [British], fool, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, mooncalf, nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, nut, nutcase, simp, simpleton, turkey, yo-yo

Related Words

daredevil; madman, madwoman; airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, cretin, dodo, dolt, donkey, dope, dork [slang], dumbbell, dummy, dunce, fathead, gander, goon, half-wit, idiot, ignoramus, imbecile, know-nothing, knucklehead, moron, numskull (or numbskull), pinhead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schlump [slang], schnook [slang], stock; featherbrain, scatterbrain; butt, dupe, laughingstock, mockery, monkey; chump, loser, schlemiel (also shlemiel); character, codger, crackbrain, crackpot, crank, kook, oddball, screwball, weirdo

Near Antonyms

sage, thinker; brain, genius

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

Rhymes with GOOSE

crouse, crus, cruse, deuce, douce, juice, loose, moose, mousse, noose, nous, puce, rhus, ruse, Russ, schuss, Seuss, sluice, spruce, truce, use, Zeus

²goose

transitive verb

goosedgoos·ing

Definition of GOOSE

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>

First Known Use of GOOSE

circa 1880

goose

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of various large, heavy-bodied waterfowl (family Anatidae), especially those of the genera Anser (so-called gray geese) and Branta (so-called black geese), which are found only in the Northern Hemisphere. Intermediate in size and build between ducks and swans, geese are less fully aquatic than either, and their legs are farther forward, allowing them to walk readily. Geese have a specially modified bill for grasping sedges and grasses, their main diet. The sexes are alike in coloration; males (called ganders) are usually larger than females. Both sexes utter loud honking or gabbling cries while in flight or when danger appears. Geese pair for life. Flocks traveling in V-formations migrate between their northern breeding grounds and southern wintering grounds. See also barnacle goose; Canada goose; greylag; nene.