Mouse - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT mouse /maʊs/ /maʊs/ IPA guide

Other forms: mice; mousing; mouses; moused

A small rodent with a pointy face, rounded ears, and a long tail is called a mouse. A mouse may be kept as a pet, or it may be an uninvited guest in your home.

A person who is timid and shy can also be called a mouse. In computer terms, a mouse is a corded or wireless device that moves your computer's cursor while you move the mouse. In most cases, the plural of mouse is "mice," but more than one computer mouse can also be called "mouses." Mouse can also be a verb in this context, like when you mouse over an icon to select a link.

Definitions of mouse

noun any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails see moresee less types: show 11 types... hide 11 types... Mus musculus, house mouse brownish-grey Old World mouse now a common household pest worldwide Micromyx minutus, harvest mouse small reddish-brown Eurasian mouse inhabiting e.g. cornfields field mouse, fieldmouse any nocturnal Old World mouse of the genus Apodemus inhabiting woods and fields and gardens nude mouse a mouse with a genetic defect that prevents them from growing hair and also prevents them from immunologically rejecting human cells and tissues; widely used in preclinical trials wood mouse any of various New World woodland mice Apodemus sylvaticus, European wood mouse nocturnal yellowish-brown mouse inhabiting woods and fields and gardens Peromyscus leucopus, vesper mouse, white-footed mouse American woodland mouse with white feet and underparts Peromyscus maniculatus, deer mouse brownish New World mouse; most widely distributed member of the genus Peromyscus eremicus, cactus mouse burrowing mouse of desert areas of southwestern United States Peromyscus gossypinus, cotton mouse large dark mouse of southeastern United States Baiomys taylori, pygmy mouse very small dark greyish brown mouse resembling a house mouse; of Texas and Mexico type of: gnawer, rodent relatively small placental mammals having a single pair of constantly growing incisor teeth specialized for gnawing
noun person who is quiet or timid see moresee less type of: individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul a human being
verb to go stealthily or furtively synonyms: creep, pussyfoot, sneak see moresee less type of: walk use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
noun a hand-operated electronic device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around on a pad; on the bottom of the device is a ball that rolls on the surface of the pad “a mouse takes much more room than a trackball” synonyms: computer mouse see moresee less type of: electronic device a device that accomplishes its purpose electronically
verb manipulate the mouse of a computer see moresee less type of: manipulate hold something in one's hands and move it
noun a swollen bruise caused by a blow to the eye synonyms: black eye, shiner see moresee less type of: bruise, contusion an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration

Pronunciation US /maʊs/ UK /maʊs/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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

Vocabulary lists containing mouse

Computer Science and Technology - Introductory

If you're struggling with computer science terminology, reboot and learn this list of essential vocabulary. Review hardware and software, networks and websites, downloading and uploading files, computer viruses, and much more. Store these words in your memory and you'll be right at home in cyberspace!

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