grouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (verb), Technical/Sporting (noun for bird), Dated Slang (adjective)
Quick answer
What does “grouse” mean?
To complain persistently and peevishly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To complain persistently and peevishly.
As a noun: 1. A small, plump game bird found in heather moorland. 2. (British informal) A cause for complaint, a grumble. As a verb: To complain, grumble. As an adjective: (Australian/British informal, dated) Excellent, very good.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb 'to grouse' is more common in British and Australian English. The noun referring to a complaint is chiefly British informal. The Australian/British informal adjective 'grouse' (meaning excellent) is rare.
Connotations
In the UK, 'grouse' (verb) implies persistent, often low-level complaining, less confrontational than 'protest'. In the US, it is understood but less frequent, carrying a slight British flavour.
Frequency
The verb is mid-frequency in UK informal contexts, low-frequency in US English. The noun (bird) is technical/hunting vocabulary in both.
Grammar
How to Use “grouse” in a Sentence
[Subject] + grouse + about + [Object][Subject] + grouse + that-clause[Subject] + grouse + over + [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tenants groused about the rent increase for weeks.
- Stop grousing and get on with it!
American English
- He groused that the coffee was never hot enough.
- Fans groused online about the team's performance.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no adverbial form)
American English
- (Not standard; no adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- That new bike of his is absolutely grouse! (dated/slang)
- We had a grouse time at the fair.
American English
- (Extremely rare, would be understood as quirky slang) 'That concert was grouse, man!'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in informal discussions: 'The team's been grousing about the new software.'
Academic
Not used in formal writing. Might appear in historical/social texts about class or labour.
Everyday
Common in UK informal speech to describe habitual complaining: 'He's always grousing about the weather.'
Technical
Used in ornithology, gamekeeping, and land management regarding the bird species and its habitat.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grouse”
- Using it transitively (*He groused the policy). Correct: He groused about the policy.
- Confusing 'grouse' (complain) with 'grouch' (a habitually complaining person).
- Using the adjective ('That's grouse!') outside of very informal Australian contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are false friends from different etymologies. The bird's name is of uncertain origin, possibly Celtic. The verb likely comes from Old French 'groucier', to murmur, grumble.
Only if you are referring to the bird in a biological or environmental context. The verb meaning 'complain' is strictly informal.
'Complain' is the most general and neutral. 'Grumble' suggests a low, continuous, often inarticulate sound of complaint. 'Grouse' implies persistent, peevish, often habitual complaining, with a slightly stronger connotation of unreasonableness.
Yes, but this is now very niche. In Australian and some British slang (now largely dated), 'grouse' meant 'excellent' or 'very good' (e.g., 'a grouse car'). This sense is unrelated to the other meanings.
To complain persistently and peevishly.
Grouse: in British English it is pronounced /ɡraʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡraʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Grouse moor”
- “Grouse shooting”
- “Not a grouse (Aus: not a problem)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a grumpy old man complaining about a LOUSE in the house – he's 'GROUSE-ing'. The bird lives on the GROUND in the MOUSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLAINT IS LOW-LEVEL NOISE (like the bird's call).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'grouse' MOST likely to be used?