gooseneck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, industrial, nautical; informal/descriptive when used as a metaphor.
Quick answer
What does “gooseneck” mean?
An object, part, or structure with a curved shape resembling the neck of a goose.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An object, part, or structure with a curved shape resembling the neck of a goose.
Often used as a modifier (gooseneck lamp, gooseneck trailer) to describe something flexible, curved, or articulated, and metaphorically to describe a specific type of bend or flexible connection. In nautical contexts, it refers to a specific fitting on a sailing vessel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The nautical fitting is universally understood in sailing communities worldwide. The compound 'gooseneck trailer' might be more common in American English for towing.
Connotations
Neutral technical descriptor in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English due to the prevalence of 'gooseneck lamp' as a common household item.
Grammar
How to Use “gooseneck” in a Sentence
[adjective] goosenecka gooseneck [noun]shaped like a gooseneckVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gooseneck” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gooseneck fitting was corroded.
- We need a gooseneck attachment for the hose.
American English
- He installed a gooseneck trailer hitch.
- She bought a gooseneck kitchen faucet.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing/supply contexts for specific parts.
Academic
Rare, except in engineering or nautical archaeology texts.
Everyday
Most common: referring to adjustable desk/reading lamps.
Technical
Common in plumbing, electrical, automotive (towing), and marine engineering.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gooseneck”
- Misspelling as 'goose neck' (should be one word or hyphenated). Using it as a verb ('He goosenecked the pipe' – incorrect). Confusing it with 'swan neck', which is typically more elegant and less articulated.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as one word (gooseneck), though hyphenated forms (goose-neck) are also accepted, especially in attributive use.
No, it is not standard English to use 'gooseneck' as a verb. It is primarily a noun or an attributive adjective.
A 'gooseneck' implies a sharper, more articulated bend, often with a horizontal and vertical section (like a goose drinking). A 'swan neck' suggests a smoother, more graceful, continuous curve.
Not exactly. An Anglepoise is a trademarked brand of lamp with a specific spring-balanced mechanism. A gooseneck lamp refers to any lamp with a flexible, curved neck, which may or may not use a spring mechanism.
An object, part, or structure with a curved shape resembling the neck of a goose.
Gooseneck is usually technical, industrial, nautical; informal/descriptive when used as a metaphor. in register.
Gooseneck: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːsnɛk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːsnɛk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Used descriptively: 'a gooseneck of river'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture the long, curved, flexible neck of a goose pecking at the ground. Any object with that distinct S-shaped curve is a gooseneck.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORM IS ANIMAL BODY PART (The curved part of an object is the neck of a goose).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gooseneck' LEAST likely to be used?