goose

1 of 2

noun

ˈgüs 

plural geese ˈgēs 

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 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

Synonyms

Noun

• fool
• lunatic [informal]
• turkey
• maniac [informal]
• idiot
• nut
• moron
• cuckoo

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

Noun

Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025

The gas station and convenience store combo, known for its goose mascot, offers built-to-order hoagies, breakfast items, milkshakes, coffee, soft pretzels, soups, and more. —Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

Verb

Adding the awards to the Grammy and Emmy telecasts would attract even more comedians to attend the ceremony, and the winners are almost certain to give entertaining acceptance speeches — which could goose ratings, which are trending downward in general. —Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

For investors, the main concern will be her reputation for wanting spending to achieve growth and her penchant for central bank stimulus to goose the economy. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing goose

• barnacle goose
• brent goose
• Canada goose
• cook one's goose
• cook someone's goose
• goose bumps
• goose egg
• goose pimples
• goose step
• Hawaiian goose
• kill the golden goose
• snow goose
• the golden goose
• the goose that lays the golden egg
• Their goose was cooked
• what's good for the goose is good for the gander
• what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander
• wild goose chase

Rhymes for goose

• coos
• cruce
• deuce
• douce
• duce
• hoose
• juice
• loose
• mousse
• noose
• nous
• sluice

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