mousy

adjective

ˈmau̇-sē 

-zē

variants or mousey

mousier; mousiest

: of, relating to, or resembling a mouse: such as

a

: quiet, stealthy

b

: timid, retiring

Mary was rather quiet and a bit mousy, but absolutely brilliant.

—Anna Russell

c

: grayish brown

mousy hair

mousily

ˈmau-sə-lē 

-zə-

adverb

mousiness

ˈmau-sē-nəs 

-zē-

noun

Synonyms of mousy

• timid

Examples of mousy in a Sentence

The movie is a fantasy about a mousy housewife who is transformed into a glamorous star.

a mousy little girl who hid behind her mother the entire time we were there

Recent Examples on the Web

Whereas the play only obliquely references the character’s successful new novel, this version presents Eileen’s manuscript — co-written with her mousy lover Thea (Imogen Potts), a former schoolmate of Hedda’s — as a revelatory treatise on the future of human sexuality. —Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025

Generously, Thompson’s performance leaves room for two more, the first being Poots’ low-key but impressive Thea, a mousy woman who arrives wet and bedraggled, causing Hedda to dress her in her own clothes (a gesture that has more than one meaning for Hedda, who’s still in love with Eileen). —Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025

This is why babies and toddlers with a shock of blond hair can end up a mousy brown color in adulthood. —Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025

For evidence, just look at her recent transformation from mousy brunette to bombshell blonde. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mousy

adjective

variants or mousey

ˈmau̇-sē  -zē 

mousier; mousiest

: of, relating to, or resembling a mouse: as

a

: quiet entry 2 sense 1a, stealthy

b

: shy entry 1 sense 1a, timid

c

: dull in color : drab