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Dictionary Language resources

goon

Syllabification: (goon)

Pronunciation: /go͞on/

Translate goon | into Italian

Definition of goon

noun

informal

1a silly, foolish, or eccentric person.

2a bully or thug, especially one hired to terrorize or do away with opposition:a squad of goons waving pistols

Origin:

mid 19th century: perhaps from dialect gooney 'booby'; influenced by the subhuman cartoon character 'Alice the Goon', created by E. C. Segar (1894–1938), American cartoonist