goat

1 of 2

noun

ˈgōt 

plural goats

1

a

or plural goat : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (especially of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail, and usually straight hair

especially : one (Capra hircus) long domesticated for its milk, wool, and flesh

b

capitalized : capricorn

2

: a licentious man : lecher

3

: scapegoat sense 2

goatish

ˈgō-tish 

adjective

goatlike

ˈgōt-ˌlīk 

adjective

GOAT

2 of 2

abbreviation or noun

ˈgōt 

variants or less commonly G.O.A.T.

plural GOATs also G.O.A.T.s

: the greatest of all time : the most accomplished and successful individual in the history of a particular sport or category of performance or activity

As much fun as it is to debate who is the greatest in NBA history, it's pointless, a question for which there can be no definitive answer …. The list of players who could be considered the GOAT is long, and each one is worthy in his own right.

—Nancy Armour

There's no denying what Aaron Rodgers has done in his career, but to say Rodgers is the GOAT is a big statement considering what Tom Brady has accomplished.

—Pro Football Weekly

Former President (and arguably the GOAT of post-presidency careers) Jimmy Carter is leasing 10 acres of his Georgia peanut farm to SolAmerica to create a 1.3MW solar array.

—Walter Einenkel

If championships alone are the measuring stick, then Michael [Jordan] is probably going to remain the popular choice as the GOAT. But if I can go on aesthetics alone, I know I'd rather watch LeBron [James].

—Bob Ryan

Synonyms

Noun

• fall guy
• scapegoat
• whipping boy

Examples of goat in a Sentence

Noun

In the last inning, a home run can make you the hero, and a strikeout can make you the goat.

an unhappy childhood was the goat he used to rationalize every failure and shortcoming

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Igor’s eyes are burnished gold, and are like a goat’s. —David Sedaris, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

This mission is undertaken with the help of a magical anthropomorphic wishing star that falls from the heavens, beeping, whizzing and giggling, in the process giving Asha’s animal sidekick, an adorable baby goat in pajamas (Alan Tudyk), the gift of human speech. —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023

This all-natural supplement boasts a blend of powerful herbs including maca root, tongkat ali, and of course, horny goat weed. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2023

Domestic goats were turned loose by Spanish missionaries in the 1820s. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023

The film title refers to the Buddhist cycle of birth and reincarnation, following a soul during this cycle, from an old lady in Laos to a goat in Zanzibar. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 30 Oct. 2023

Dogs are likely the first, followed by sheep, pigs, goats, and horses. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023

The sanctuaries' residents include cows, goats, horses, sheep and chickens, as well as turkeys. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023

The document, which was reviewed by WIRED, is a rare glimpse into how the organization is using tech to target factory farms in often brazen operations that have rescued pigs, goats, ducks, and chickens. —WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023

Abbreviation or noun

The model comes in various materials and colorways, but the GOAT opted for a titanium case and a black rubber strap. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2023

No one disputes Serena Williams’ GOAT status and no one maligns women’s tennis as less than the men’s. —Melissah Yang, refinery29.com, 3 Oct. 2023

Simone Biles is continuing to dominate in gymnastics, cementing her status as the GOAT. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 2 Oct. 2023

Post-retirement episodes have cast a shadow on Isiah the player, as has the acceptance of Michael Jordan as the NBA’s GOAT, whose bitter struggle with the Bad Boy Pistons became part of the legend, turning members of that Detroit team—those who dared thwart Michael—into villains. —Rich Cohen, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2023

Texas’ third-year coach became the third former Nick Saban assistant to beat the GOAT in the past three years. —USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023

Note that for hot, trendy shoes, many go to resale sites like GOAT and StockX to shop styles no longer available directly from retailers. —Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 28 Aug. 2023

Fanatics has a ton of other Messi merch available to shop online, including this official Messi x Adidas Sunny GOAT T-Shirt, which has quickly become a best-seller on the site. —Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Aug. 2023

Related Story Simone Biles’s 6-Pack Is The GOAT In Bikini Pics In 2020, Jonathan signed a two-year contract with his former football team, the Houston Texans, which was valued at $1.39 million. —Korin Miller, Women's Health, 8 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gote, from Old English gāt; akin to Old High German geiz goat, Old Norse geit, Latin haedus kid

First Known Use

Noun

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

Abbreviation Or Noun

1996, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing goat

• Angora goat
• nanny goat
• get one's goat
• the goat
• get someone's goat
• cashmere goat
• billy goat
• mountain goat
• goat cheese
• old goat

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• Angora goat
• nanny goat
• get one's goat
• the goat
• get someone's goat
• cashmere goat
• billy goat
• mountain goat
• goat cheese
• old goat

See More

Kids Definition

goat

noun

ˈgōt 

plural goat or goats

1

: any of various cud-chewing mammals having hollow horns that curve backward, a short tail, and usually straight hair and related to the sheep but of lighter build

especially : one raised for its milk, wool, and flesh

2

: scapegoat

goatlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective