gosling

noun

gos·​ling ˈgäz-liŋ How to pronounce gosling (audio)
ˈgȯz-,
-lən
1
: a young goose
2
: a foolish or callow person

Examples of gosling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The gosling was taken to a wildlife rescue but died shortly after. Anne Readel, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025 Despite the protective parents hissing, Henry persisted and was ultimately able to guide the goslings toward a safer way out. Seth Carnell, USA Today, 25 May 2025 Two police officers also responded as reinforcement because of the traffic, and the goslings started scattering. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025 The story follows a lost robot who finds herself on a remote wilderness island and soon befriends the animals there, raising an orphaned gosling along the way. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gosling

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from gos goose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gosling was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Gosling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gosling. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

gosling

noun
gos·​ling ˈgäz-liŋ How to pronounce gosling (audio)
ˈgȯz-,
-lən
: a young goose

More from Merriam-Webster on gosling

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