mice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “mice” mean?
The plural form of 'mouse', referring to small rodents with pointed snouts and long tails.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'mouse', referring to small rodents with pointed snouts and long tails.
Used in computing to refer to multiple manual pointing devices; can also figuratively refer to timid or easily intimidated people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Same in both varieties.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “mice” in a Sentence
[mice] + [verb in plural form] (e.g., The mice eat the cheese.)[Determiner] + [mice] (e.g., These mice are nocturnal.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in contexts of pest control or laboratory supplies.
Academic
Common in biological, medical, and psychological research contexts.
Everyday
Common when referring to the animal or computer hardware.
Technical
Standard in biology (zoology) and computing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mice”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mice”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mice”
- Using 'mouses' for the animal plural (non-standard). Using a singular verb with 'mice' (e.g., 'The mice is...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is sometimes used humorously or in very informal computing contexts to refer to multiple pointing devices, but 'mice' is the standard and recommended plural in all contexts.
It rhymes with 'price' and 'dice'. The IPA is /maɪs/.
Mice are generally much smaller than rats, with proportionally larger ears and longer tails relative to their body size. They are different species within the rodent family.
No, 'mice' is exclusively a noun (the plural of 'mouse'). The related adjective is 'mousy' (e.g., mousy hair, a mousy person).
The plural form of 'mouse', referring to small rodents with pointed snouts and long tails.
Mice is usually neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “When the cat's away, the mice will play.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the price of one mouse, but for many you pay the price in ICE? 'M-ice'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MICE ARE SMALL, TIMID CREATURES (e.g., 'He's as quiet as a mouse'). MICE ARE TEST SUBJECTS (e.g., 'They were treated like lab mice').
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of 'mouse' when referring to the animals?