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 sales

Synonyms of goose

Noun

• fool
• lunatic
• turkey
• maniac
• idiot
• moron
• nut

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

Its organic cotton-blend cover is gentle on skin, while the goose feather fill delivers plush, breathable warmth. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026

Foie gras — or fattened liver of a duck or goose — is a delicacy in French cooking that is occasionally featured on higher-end restaurants’ menus. —Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025

Verb

Amid much everyday hustle and bustle, goosed by jittery editing, jolting camerawork, and anxious percussion, Noor catches up to his friend just in time for both boys to get sucked into a gathering protest. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026

Trump thinks interest rates should be much lower, to goose the economy and perhaps reduce the federal government's own borrowing costs. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026

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