Goat

/ɡoʊt/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A domesticated ruminant animal with a beard and long horns, often kept for milk and meat.
The farmer has a herd of goats that provide him with milk.
A wild or domesticated animal of the genus Capra, often found in mountainous regions.
We saw a mountain goat while hiking in the national park.
A person who is scape-goated or blamed for something.
He became the goat when the project failed, despite many other contributing factors.
verb
To act as a scapegoat; to take the blame for someone else's mistakes.
She felt like she was being asked to goat for her colleagues' errors.

Etymology

Old English 'gāt', from Proto-Germanic 'gaitā', traces back to Proto-Indo-European.

Common Phrases and Expressions

get someone's goat:
To annoy or irritate someone.
the goat:
Refers to someone regarded as the greatest in a particular field.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Greatest of All Time.
That quarterback is the GOAT.
Used to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled.
She is the GOAT in our gaming group.