Mice vs. Mouse — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Mice" is the plural form of the word "Mouse," which refers to a small rodent. While "Mouse" denotes a single rodent, "Mice" refers to two or more.
Difference Between Mice and Mouse
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Mice" and "Mouse" both pertain to the same small mammal, but they differ in number. While "Mouse" describes a singular creature, "Mice" refers to its plural form.
In literature or tales, a "Mouse" might be portrayed as an individual character with a distinct personality. In contrast, "Mice" would imply a group or community of these creatures, possibly showcasing social behaviors or group dynamics.
Technologically, the term "Mouse" is also used to describe a computer input device. When referring to multiple such devices, one would use "Mice" as the correct plural form.
It's essential to use "Mice" and "Mouse" in their respective contexts to ensure clarity in communication. For instance, saying "I saw a mouse" clearly indicates a single sighting, whereas "I saw mice" implies the observer saw more than one.
Both "Mice" and "Mouse" hold cultural and historical significance, with the latter often representing quietness, timidity, or inconspicuousness, and the former, when in groups, might symbolize infestation or abundance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Number
Plural
Singular
Refers to
Multiple rodents
A single rodent
Technological Reference
Plural form for computer input devices
A computer input device
Contextual Usage
Indicates a group or multiple occurrences
Indicates an individual or single occurrence
Cultural/Historical Significance
Often signifies abundance or infestation
Represents timidity or inconspicuousness
Compare with Definitions
Mice
Plural form of mouse.
The farmer found mice in his barn.
Mouse
Singular form of mice.
She saw a mouse in the garden.
Mice
Group of small mammals.
The mice scurried away together.
Mouse
A small mammal with a pointed nose.
The mouse nibbled on the cheese.
Mice
More than one small rodent.
Mice can be a nuisance if they infest a house.
Mouse
A mouse, plural mice, is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate.
Mice
Multiple small rodents.
Cats often chase mice.
Mouse
A small rodent that typically has a pointed snout, relatively large ears and eyes, and a long tail.
Mice
Multiple computer input devices.
The IT department ordered new mice for the office.
Mouse
A small handheld device which is moved across a mat or flat surface to move the cursor on a computer screen
The right mouse button
Copy the file with a click of the mouse
Mice
Plural of mouse.
Mouse
A lump or bruise on or near the eye
She touched the mouse under her eye
Mice
To be distracted or inattentive (possibly alluding to a cat being distracted by a mouse).
Mouse
(of a cat or owl) hunt for or catch mice
Female cats are usually much better at mousing than males
Mouse
Use a mouse to move or position a cursor on a computer screen
Simply mouse over any item on the list
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.
Mouse
Any of various similar or related animals, such as the jumping mouse, the vole, or the jerboa.
Mouse
A cowardly or timid person.
Mouse
(Informal) A discolored swelling under the eye caused by a blow; a black eye.
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.
Mouse
To hunt mice.
Mouse
To search furtively for something; prowl.
Mouse
Any small rodent of the genus Mus.
Mouse
(informal) A member of the many small rodent and marsupial species resembling such a rodent.
Mouse
A quiet or shy person.
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.
Mouse
(computing) The cursor.
Mouse
(boxing) A facial hematoma or black eye.
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.
Mouse
(obsolete) A familiar term of endearment.
Mouse
A match used in firing guns or blasting.
Mouse
(set theory) A small model of (a fragment of) Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory with desirable properties (depending on the context).
Mouse
(historical) A small cushion for a woman's hair.
Mouse
Part of a hind leg of beef, next to the round.
Mouse
(intransitive) To move cautiously or furtively, in the manner of a mouse (the rodent) (frequently used in the phrasal verb to mouse around).
Mouse
(intransitive) To hunt or catch mice (the rodents), usually of cats. 12
Mouse
To close the mouth of a hook by a careful binding of marline or wire.
Mouse
To navigate by means of a computer mouse.
Mouse
To tear, as a cat devours a mouse.
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.
Mouse
A knob made on a rope with spun yarn or parceling to prevent a running eye from slipping.
Mouse
A familiar term of endearment.
Mouse
A dark-colored swelling caused by a blow.
Mouse
A match used in firing guns or blasting.
Mouse
To watch for and catch mice.
Mouse
To watch for or pursue anything in a sly manner; to pry about, on the lookout for something.
Mouse
To tear, as a cat devours a mouse.
Mouse
Any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
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
Mouse
To go stealthily or furtively;
..stead of sneaking around spying on the neighbor's house
Mouse
Manipulate the mouse of a computer
Mouse
A small rodent.
The mouse hid under the table.
Mouse
A computer input device.
My computer mouse isn't working properly.
Mouse
A timid person.
He's as quiet as a mouse.
Common Curiosities
Can "Mouse" refer to something other than a rodent?
Yes, a "Mouse" can also refer to a computer input device.
Is it correct to say "Mouses" when referring to the computer device?
While "Mice" is the traditional plural form, "Mouses" is sometimes used in the tech context.
Can "Mouse" be used metaphorically?
Yes, "Mouse" can refer to a timid person.
What is the plural form of "Mouse"?
The plural form of "Mouse" is "Mice."
Are "Mice" generally larger than a "Mouse"?
No, "Mice" is just the plural of "Mouse"; it doesn't denote size.
How many rodents are implied when someone mentions "Mice"?
"Mice" implies two or more rodents.
Is "Mice" ever used in a singular context?
No, "Mice" always indicates a plural context.
Can "Mouse" refer to a character in literature?
Yes, like "Mickey Mouse."
How do you differentiate between "Mice" and "Mouse" in a sentence?
Context and verb agreement will indicate the number.
Is it a "Mouse's tail" or "Mice's tail" for one rodent?
It's a "Mouse's tail" for one rodent.
Which is correct: "Two Mouse" or "Two Mice"?
"Two Mice" is the correct usage.
Can "Mouse" be used as a verb?
Yes, "to mouse" can mean to hunt or search for mice.
Can you refer to a computer "Mouse" as "Mice" if there's more than one?
Yes, "Mice" can refer to multiple computer input devices.
Which is more likely to be in a group, "Mouse" or "Mice"?
"Mice" because it's the plural form.
Are "Mice" more active at night?
Yes, most mice are nocturnal and are more active during the night.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Differential vs. Difference
Next Comparison
Agreement vs. ContractAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
