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Mousy: meaning, definitions and examples

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mousy

 

[ ˈmaʊ.si ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

appearance, behavior

Mousy refers to a person or animal resembling or characterized by a mouse, especially in their lack of confidence, timidity, or shyness. It can also describe a dull or drab color, akin to that of a mouse's fur.

Synonyms

docile, dull, shy, timid

Examples of usage

  • She had a mousy demeanor that made her seem unapproachable.
  • The cat cornered the mousy creature in the garden.
  • His mousy brown hair blended in with the surroundings.

Translations

Translations of the word "mousy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rato

🇮🇳 चूहा

🇩🇪 mausartig

🇮🇩 berhubungan dengan tikus

🇺🇦 миший

🇵🇱 myszy

🇯🇵 マウスのような

🇫🇷 souris

🇪🇸 ratón

🇹🇷 fare gibi

🇰🇷 쥐 같은

🇸🇦 فأر

🇨🇿 myší

🇸🇰 myší

🇨🇳 鼠样的

🇸🇮 mišji

🇮🇸 musar

🇰🇿 тышқан тәрізді

🇬🇪 მღრღნელი

🇦🇿 siçovul kimi

🇲🇽 ratón

Etymology

The word 'mousy' originated from the Old English word 'mūs', which means mouse. Its usage evolved over time to describe not only the physical traits associated with mice but also the metaphorical traits of meekness and timidity. The term gained popularity in the English language in the late 19th century, particularly in literature and social discourse, as a way to describe individuals who exhibited shy or unobtrusive behavior. The association with dull colors likely stems from the common visibility of mice, which often have inconspicuous brown or gray fur, prompting the use of 'mousy' to characterize similar features in humans and objects.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,310, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.