Mice vs. Mouse: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
'Mouse' is the singular term for a small rodent, while 'mice' is the plural form, referring to more than one.
Key Differences
Mice are the multiple individuals of the small, typically furry rodent species, while a mouse refers to a single individual of the same species.
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Nov 16, 2023
In scientific research, mice are widely used for experiments due to their genetic similarity to humans; a single mouse can provide initial data.
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Households might struggle with mice infestations, indicating many, but finding a mouse in a trap signifies just one has been caught.
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When discussing computer devices, people often have one mouse connected to their computer, but a store might sell mice in bulk.
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In animation, a group of characters might be called mice if there are several, but a story may center on a lone mouse and its adventures.
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Comparison Chart
Grammar
Used to refer to more than one mouse
Used to refer to a single mouse
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Usage in a Sentence
Mice scurried across the floor.
A mouse scurried across the floor.
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Contextual Implication
Implies the presence of multiple
Implies the presence of one
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Associated Connotations
Often associated with infestations
Can refer to pet or computer device
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Mice and Mouse Definitions
Mice
Small rodents, typically with pointed snouts and small rounded ears.
The barn was overrun with mice seeking shelter.
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Nov 08, 2023
Mouse
A small mammal with a long tail, known for being a common household rodent.
A mouse found its way into the pantry.
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Mice
Used metaphorically to describe people who are timid or shy.
They were as quiet as mice during the lecture.
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Mouse
The singular form of mice, referring to just one such animal.
The cat chased the mouse around the living room.
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Mice
Plural form of mouse, used when referring to more than one.
The children were delighted to see a family of mice in the field.
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Mouse
In computing, a hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion.
She clicked the mouse to open the file.
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Mice
Characters in stories or animations, when there are several.
The animated mice sang a song in the movie.
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Mouse
Someone who is meek or timid in nature.
He was a mouse among men, quiet and unassuming.
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Mice
In technology, refers to multiple computer input devices.
The office ordered twenty new mice for their employees.
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Mouse
Any of numerous small rodents of the families Muridae and Cricetidae, such as the house mouse, characteristically having a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and a long naked or almost hairless tail.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mouse
Any of various similar or related animals, such as the jumping mouse, the vole, or the jerboa.
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Mice
To be distracted or inattentive (possibly alluding to a cat being distracted by a mouse).
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Mouse
(Informal) A discolored swelling under the eye caused by a blow; a black eye.
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Mouse
Pl. mice or mous·es (mousĭz) Computers A handheld, button-activated input device that when rolled along a flat surface directs an indicator to move correspondingly about a computer screen, allowing the operator to move the indicator freely, as to select operations or manipulate text or graphics.
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Mouse
(informal) A member of the many small rodent and marsupial species resembling such a rodent.
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Mouse
(computing) (plural mice or, rarely, mouses) An input device that is moved over a pad or other flat surface to produce a corresponding movement of a pointer on a graphical display.
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Mouse
(nautical) A turn or lashing of spun yarn or small stuff, or a metallic clasp or fastening, uniting the point and shank of a hook to prevent its unhooking or straightening out.
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Mouse
(set theory) A small model of (a fragment of) Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory with desirable properties (depending on the context).
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Mouse
(intransitive) To move cautiously or furtively, in the manner of a mouse (the rodent) (frequently used in the phrasal verb to mouse around).
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Mouse
(intransitive) To hunt or catch mice (the rodents), usually of cats. 12
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Mouse
To close the mouth of a hook by a careful binding of marline or wire.
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Mouse
Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Mus and various related genera of the family Muridæ. The common house mouse (Mus musculus) is found in nearly all countries. The American white-footed mouse, or deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus, formerly Hesperomys leucopus) sometimes lives in houses. See Dormouse, Meadow mouse, under Meadow, and Harvest mouse, under Harvest.
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Mouse
A knob made on a rope with spun yarn or parceling to prevent a running eye from slipping.
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Mouse
To watch for or pursue anything in a sly manner; to pry about, on the lookout for something.
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Mouse
Any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
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Mouse
A hand-operated electronic device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around on a pad; on the bottom of the mouse is a ball that rolls on the surface of the pad;
A mouse takes much more room than a trackball
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Mouse
To go stealthily or furtively;
..stead of sneaking around spying on the neighbor's house
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Mouse
A key character in a story, often portrayed as clever or heroic.
The mouse outwitted the fox in the fable.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are there any other meanings for 'mice' besides the plural of 'mouse'?
No, 'mice' is specifically the plural of 'mouse'.
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Nov 16, 2023
What is a mouse?
A mouse is a small rodent, typically characterized by a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and a long tail.
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Can 'mouse' be used as a verb?
Yes, 'to mouse' can mean to hunt or search for something carefully.
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What are mice?
"Mice" is the plural of "mouse," referring to more than one of these small rodents.
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Nov 16, 2023
Are "mice" and "mouse" used in idioms?
Yes, "mouse" is used in idioms like "as quiet as a mouse," and "mice" in "when the cat's away, the mice will play."
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Nov 16, 2023
Are the terms 'mice' and 'mouse' interchangeable?
No, they indicate different numbers—one is singular, the other plural.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is 'mouse' used for both the animal and the computer device?
Yes, 'mouse' refers to both a rodent and a computing device.
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Is "mice" used for both genders?
Yes, "mice" can refer to a group of male, female, or mixed-gender rodents.
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Can "mouse" refer to computer equipment?
Yes, "mouse" also refers to a hand-held input device used to control a cursor on a computer screen.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is 'mice' the only plural of 'mouse'?
Yes, 'mice' is the correct plural form of 'mouse'.
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Nov 16, 2023
Are computer "mice" only wired?
No, computer mice can be wired or wireless.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can "mouse" be a verb?
Yes, "to mouse" means to hunt or search for something carefully.
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Is it correct to say 'mouses' when referring to computer devices?
While not standard, 'mouses' can sometimes be used colloquially for computer mice.
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Can "mouse" describe someone timid?
Yes, calling someone a "mouse" can imply they are shy or timid.
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Do "mice" carry diseases?
Yes, mice can carry diseases transmissible to humans, such as hantavirus.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is "mice" ever correct for the singular?
No, "mice" is only correct as the plural form of "mouse."
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Nov 16, 2023
Are mice considered pests?
Yes, mice are often considered pests when they inhabit human dwellings.
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Do the terms have different scientific names?
The scientific genus for mice is "Mus," but specific species have unique scientific names.
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Are all mice small?
Most species are small, but size can vary among different types of mice.
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Nov 16, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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