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goose

n. · v.
US //ˈɡus// UK //ɡˈuːs// goose
  1. 1 the bird (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a large water bird with a long neck that is bigger than a duck.

    any of various large grazing waterfowl of the family Anatidae, characterized by a long neck and webbed feet.

    Example

    A large white goose was swimming slowly across the pond.

    Example

    The flock of geese flew in a perfect V-formation as they began their annual migration south for the winter.
    Pitfall
    Look at those gooses in the park.
    Look at those geese in the park.

    The plural of goose is geese.

  2. 2 silly person (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal Humorous

    a person who is acting a bit silly or foolish.

    a person who behaves in a foolish or lighthearted manner.

    Example

    Don't be such a goose; you know I was only joking.

    Example

    He felt like a bit of a goose after realizing he had been wearing his jumper inside out all morning.
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  1. 3 meat (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    the meat of a goose used for food.

    the flesh of the goose prepared as culinary meat.

    Example

    Many families in Europe serve roast goose for Christmas dinner.

    Example

    The chef recommended the slow-roasted goose, served with a side of tart apple sauce to balance the richness of the meat.
  2. 4 to poke (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    to quickly poke or pinch someone on their bottom as a joke.

    to sharply poke or pinch a person in the buttocks, typically as a prank.

    Example

    He tried to goose his friend as a prank, but his friend saw him coming.

    Example

    The locker-room antics often involved teammates trying to goose one another when they weren't paying attention.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
  3. 5 to stimulate or boost (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English

    to give something a boost or to make it move faster.

    to stimulate, spur, or increase the activity or speed of something.

    Example

    The company tried to goose sales by offering a huge discount.

    Example

    The central bank's decision to lower interest rates was a clear attempt to goose the sluggish economy before the election.
Origin

PIE word *ǵʰh₂éns From Middle English goos, gos, from Old English gōs, from Proto-West Germanic gans, from Proto-Germanic gans, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰh₂éns. Cognates Compare West Frisian goes, North Frisian göis (also Fering-Öömrang dialect North Frisian gus; Sölring dialect North Frisian Guus; Heligoland dialect North Frisian gus), Low German Goos, Gans, Dutch gans, German Gans, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian gås, Icelandic gæs, Irish gé, Latin ānser, Latvian zùoss, Russian гусь (gusʹ), Albanian gatë, Ancient Greek χήν (khḗn), Avestan 𐬰𐬁 (zā), Sanskrit हंस (haṃsá). * The tailor's iron is so called from the likeness of the handle to the neck of a goose.

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