SKIP TO CONTENT

gosling

/ˈgɑzlɪŋ/
/ˈgɒslɪŋ/
IPA guide

Other forms: goslings

A baby goose is called a gosling. If you visit a farm in the springtime you'll get to see all the calves, ducklings, lambs, chicks, and goslings!

The word gosling has Scandinavian roots — it comes from the Old Norse gæslingr, adding a diminutive suffix to gos, or "goose." So a gosling is essentially a "gooseling," like a duckling, a smaller and cuter version of an animal. Goslings hatch from eggs in nests built close to a body of water, and they are taught to swim and feed in the water almost immediately after they hatch.

Definitions of gosling
  1. noun
    young goose
    see moresee less
    type of:
    goose
    web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘gosling'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family