mouser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low Frequency (C2)Informal, sometimes humorous. Technical in specific domains (e.g., naval).
Quick answer
What does “mouser” mean?
An animal, especially a cat, that is kept to hunt and catch mice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An animal, especially a cat, that is kept to hunt and catch mice.
A person, device, or agent that actively seeks out, monitors, or captures a target, often covertly (e.g., a submarine hunter, a detective).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more likely to be heard in UK contexts relating to farms or rural life. The naval term 'mouser' for a submarine detection system is predominantly US military jargon.
Connotations
Both regions share the primary connotation of a skilled, utilitarian cat.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects. The metaphorical extension is rare in everyday speech in both.
Grammar
How to Use “mouser” in a Sentence
[determiner] + mouserbe + (article) + good/excellent + mouserVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or rural studies contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing pets with a specific purpose, e.g., on a farm or in a barn.
Technical
In US naval slang, 'Mouser' was a nickname for certain submarine sonar/detection systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mouser”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mouser”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mouser”
- Misspelling as 'mousher' or 'mousor'.
- Using it to mean a computer mouse user (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its primary reference is to a cat, but it can occasionally be used for other predatory animals like terriers or owls that catch mice, though this is rare.
No, it is informal and has a rustic or specialised feel. It is not used in formal writing except for stylistic effect or in specific technical contexts.
There is no direct antonym, but a cat kept purely for companionship and not for hunting (a 'lap cat' or 'house cat') serves as a conceptual opposite.
No, 'mouser' is exclusively a noun. The verb form related to catching mice would be 'to mouse' (e.g., 'The cat mouses well').
An animal, especially a cat, that is kept to hunt and catch mice.
Mouser: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊzə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊzər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(He's/She's) a good mouser (applied humorously to a person).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'mouse-er' is an animal that 'does' mice (catches them).
Conceptual Metaphor
HUNTING IS WORK / A SKILLED WORKER IS A PREDATOR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you hear the term 'mouser' used metaphorically?