mouse

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "mouse" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the small rodent or in the context of computer hardware. An example is: "I saw a mouse scurrying across the floor." Alternative expressions include "rodent" and "input device."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We will stay up on the balcony for as long as it takes," said a 21-year-old woman who gave her name as Mouse.

The Guardian

One of the smartest things Microsoft has added is Continuum, which detects the state of the computer and presents the right interface depending on whether a keyboard and mouse is being used or the screen is being touched.

The Guardian - Tech

Experts in the field include Deadmau5 identified by his mouse silhouette and Skrillex, infamous for his dramatic entries, like descending onto stage at Glastonbury Festival by spaceship.

The Guardian

Draghi unveiled a mouse of a further monetary stimulus on Thursday.

The Guardian - Business

Windows 10 will aim to entice users put off by Windows 8, whose lack of a start menu (introduced in 1995 with Windows 95) was more suitable for touch interfaces than a keyboard and a mouse – even though keyboard-reliant users outnumbered touch users by millions to one.

The Guardian - Tech

Above the rattle of a small boy dragging a Mickey Mouse train toy along the floor and another artlessly playing a xylophone, Cecilia explained that the reunion would be joyful but bittersweet because one of the family would not be there.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The cat-and-mouse game might be less intense than last year but the fundamentals haven't changed, here or a couple of miles away.

The Guardian

Dubost and Carette play a deliciously sly and comic cat-and-mouse game with the absurdly rigid Modot, especially during the after-dinner entertainment, a breathtaking sequence described by the critic Richard Roud as something from "a Marx brothers film scripted by a Feydeau who suddenly acquired a tragic sense".

The Guardian - Film

The early part of the book, describing the birth and the following few days, in which she and her partner talk about abandoning the child, flying to Brazil and not leaving a forwarding address, is clearly autobiographical.However, the subsequent chapters describing the family's adventures in a mouse-infested farmhouse in the south of France are fictional, amusing and deeply moving.

The Guardian - Books

Fed an identical diet, the mice with bacteria from an obese twin became obese, whereas mice with bacteria from a thin twin remained lean.Dr Gordon then tested what would happen when mice with different bacteria were housed together mouse droppings help to transfer bacteria.

The Economist

This misalignment of incentives, argues Mr Thornton, explains why "it's always a cat-and-mouse game between local and central authorities".Clearing up this mess will be difficult, but not impossible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about computer hardware, both "mice" and "mouses" are technically acceptable as plural forms, though "mice" is significantly more common in professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mouses" when referring to the animal; the biological plural is exclusively "mice". Use "mouses" only if you are specifically following a technical style guide that prefers it for computer peripherals.

Linguistic Context

Primarily functions as a noun to denote a small rodent or a computer peripheral. In rare cases, it acts as a verb indicating stealthy movement or digital navigation. Ludwig AI shows it appearing frequently in both technical and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "mouse" is an exceptionally versatile term in English, bridging the gap between biology and technology. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts. While its primary use refers to the small rodent, its application as a computer input device is ubiquitous in modern writing. Writers should be mindful of pluralization; while "mice" is the standard plural for the animal, the tech community occasionally accepts "mouses", though "mice" remains the preferred professional choice. Figuratively, calling someone a "mouse" describes a quiet or timid nature. Its usage is consistently verified as correct across all major linguistic registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mice

Plural form of the rodent or the computer device

computer mouse

Specifies the hardware device meaning

rodent

General biological category for the animal

field mouse

Specifies a particular type of small rodent

input device

Technical term for the hardware category

quiet person

Descriptive phrase for the figurative meaning

shiner

Colloquial term for a hematoma or black eye

trackpad

Alternative hardware for computer navigation

pointer

The on-screen representation of the device's movement

cursor

Often used interchangeably in a digital interface context

FAQs

What is the plural of a computer "mouse"?

The most widely accepted plural is "mice", although some technical manuals use "mouses" to distinguish the device from the animal.

Can "mouse" be used as a verb?

Yes, you can use it to mean moving cautiously, as in "mouse around", or to describe the act of using a computer input device.

What is the difference between a "mouse" and a rat?

A "mouse" is typically much smaller than a "rat" and has a longer tail relative to its body size. In writing, ensure you use the correct term to maintain scientific accuracy.

What can I say instead of "mouse" for a shy person?

You can use alternatives like "wallflower", "introvert" or simply describe them as "unassuming".