Mice vs. Mouses – Which is Correct?

The distinction between mice and mouses hinges entirely on context. Mice is the universally accepted irregular plural for the small rodent. Mouses, conversely, is the regular plural form used specifically for the computer input device. Both are grammatically correct in American English, but they refer to different meanings of the singular word “mouse.”

Mice or Mouses – Which is Correct?

Both “mice” and “mouses” are correct plural forms of the word “mouse,” but their usage is determined by the specific meaning you intend. The singular word “mouse” is a homograph, meaning it is spelled the same but has different meanings. When referring to the small, furry rodent, the plural is always “mice.” However, when referring to the computer input device, the plural can be either “mouses” or “mice,” though “mouses” is often preferred in technical contexts to avoid ambiguity.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To easily remember the distinction, think about the context: If it’s an animal, it’s mice (like “nice” little creatures). If it’s a device for your computer system, it’s mouses (the “s” helps you remember “system”). You wouldn’t say “computer mice” if you wanted to be super clear about the peripheral, just as you wouldn’t say “rodent mouses.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Mice	Noun (plural)	Multiple small rodents	The old farmhouse was overrun with mice.
Mouses	Noun (plural)	Multiple computer input devices	Our new lab requires fifty wireless mouses.

How to Use Mice

“Mice” is the plural form of “mouse” used exclusively when referring to the small, furry rodent. This usage is consistent across all contexts, from formal scientific papers to casual conversations. It evokes images of pests, laboratory subjects, or beloved cartoon characters. The tone is neutral, merely reflecting the plural of the animal.

Example 1: The researchers conducted extensive studies on the behavior of laboratory mice.

Example 2: My grandmother always said she could hear the mice scurrying behind the walls at night.

Example 3: Many classic children’s stories feature talking mice as main characters.

What are the different forms of Mice?

“Mice” is the irregular plural form of the singular noun “mouse” (the animal). There are no other common forms or conjugations for this specific plural word. The singular is “mouse,” and the plural is “mice.”

Etymology of the word Mice

The word “mouse” for the rodent dates back to Old English, derived from “mūs,” which itself comes from Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots. Its plural form, “mice,” is an example of an irregular plural that has been preserved from older linguistic patterns, where internal vowel changes (umlaut) indicated pluralization.

How to Use Mouses

“Mouses” is the regular plural form of “mouse” when referring to the computer input device. While “mice” is also sometimes used for computer peripherals due to the commonality of the animal plural, “mouses” is often preferred in technical documentation, IT departments, and by some users to avoid any potential ambiguity. Its usage clearly indicates a technological item, not a biological one.

Example 1: The office manager ordered a new batch of keyboards and matching mouses for the remote team.

Example 2: Tech enthusiasts often debate the ergonomic merits of various gaming mouses.

Example 3: We need to update the drivers for all the wireless mouses in the computer lab.

What are the different forms of Mouses?

“Mouses” is the regular plural form of the singular noun “mouse” (the computer device). Unlike the animal, the device typically follows standard English pluralization rules by adding “-es” to the singular form. There are no other common forms or conjugations for this specific plural word.

Etymology of the word Mouses

The computer “mouse” was invented in the 1960s, reportedly named for its resemblance to the rodent, with the cable acting as a tail. As the device gained widespread adoption, particularly with personal computers in the 1980s, the need for a plural arose. While “mice” was initially common, “mouses” emerged as a distinct plural, especially in technical communities, to differentiate it from the animal and to follow regular English pluralization for inanimate objects.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts can help clarify why “mice” and “mouses” exist as distinct plurals for the same singular word.

• Irregular Plurals: English has many nouns that do not follow the standard “-s” or “-es” rule for pluralization. Words like “foot/feet,” “tooth/teeth,” and “child/children” are examples. “Mice” for the animal falls into this category, retaining an older linguistic pattern.
• Homographs: These are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, and sometimes different pronunciations or grammatical behaviors. The word “mouse” is a perfect example, having distinct meanings (animal vs. device) which lead to different preferred plural forms.

Examples from Media and Literature

Observing “mice” and “mouses” in various contexts helps solidify their correct usage:

• “The classic children’s tale, The Country Mouse and the City Mouse, explores themes of contentment and lifestyle through the experiences of two mice.” (Animal)
• “In a 2024 review of office peripherals, the tech journalist noted, ‘The new line of ergonomic mouses from ErgoTech offers superior comfort and precision.'” (Device)
• “George and Lennie’s dreams of owning a farm in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men are rooted in the simple, often fleeting, hopes of common people, sometimes compared to the vulnerability of mice.” (Animal)
• “During a recent esports tournament, commentators observed that many professional gamers prefer lightweight, high-DPI mouses for competitive play.” (Device)
• “The popular cartoon character Jerry is one of several famous mice in animation history, constantly outwitting his feline adversary.” (Animal)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The cat stalked the group of ____ hiding in the pantry.
2. For our new computer lab, we need to order twenty new wireless ____.
3. Scientists are studying the genetic makeup of laboratory ____ to understand disease.
4. Many graphic designers prefer specialized ____ that offer additional programmable buttons.
5. A sudden rustling in the attic indicated that ____ had found their way inside.

Answer Key

1. mice
2. mouses
3. mice
4. mouses
5. mice

Mice Synonyms

Synonym (for animals)	Definition
Rodents	A diverse order of mammals, including mice, rats, squirrels, and beavers.
Vermin	Wild animals or insects that are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, or humans.
Critters (informal)	A small creature or animal.

Mouses Synonyms

Synonym (for devices)	Definition
Pointing devices	Input devices that allow a user to input spatial data to a computer.
Computer peripherals	An external device that provides input/output for the computer.
Input devices	Hardware equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “mouses” ever acceptable for the animal?
No, “mice” is the universally accepted and grammatically correct plural form for the rodent. Using “mouses” for the animal would be considered incorrect.

Question 2: Why do some people still say “mice” for computer devices?
Many people use “mice” for computer devices because it is the more familiar and historically older plural form of the word “mouse.” It’s an instance of linguistic habit and generalization. While technically acceptable in informal contexts, “mouses” is often preferred in technical settings for clarity.

Question 3: Which plural form is older, “mice” or “mouses”?
The plural “mice” for the animal dates back to Old English, making it significantly older. The plural “mouses” for the computer device is a modern creation, emerging only after the invention and popularization of the computer mouse in the latter half of the 20th century.

Conclusion

In summary, the choice between “mice” and “mouses” is a clear case of context. “Mice” is the definitive plural for the small, furry animal, reflecting an irregular plural form rooted in Old English. “Mouses” is the grammatically sound regular plural for the computer input device, often favored in technical discourse to prevent ambiguity. Understanding this distinction is crucial for clear and precise communication.

Pro Tip: Using the correct plural form demonstrates precision in language, enhancing your professional credibility, especially when writing or speaking in technical, scientific, or formal settings. When in doubt, consider if you’re discussing biology or technology.