mousy

Everyday

1. (of hair) A dull light brown colour, like a mouse. tree →
2. (of a person) Quiet, shy and not easily noticed. tree →
3. Like a mouse or smelling of mice. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories to describe looks and character: «a mousy little man». In Alice there are many mice; a «mousy» smell can mean mice live in a place. It can sound unkind when said about someone's hair or character, so be careful using it about real people.

Examples

• She had mousy brown hair tied in a ponytail. tree →
• The new boy was mousy and hardly spoke. tree →
• The old shed had a mousy smell. tree →
• A mousy little clerk sat behind the desk. tree →
• Don't call people mousy – it can hurt their feelings. tree →
• The mousy kitten hid under the sofa. tree →

Note

Both «mousy» and «mousey» are correct. Comparative: mousier, mousiest. Can be unkind about a person.