goon

1 of 2

noun

1
: a stupid person
2
a
: a man hired to terrorize or eliminate opponents

go on

2 of 2

verb

went on; gone on; going on; goes on

intransitive verb

1
a
: to continue on or as if on a journey
life goes on
went on to greater things
b
: to keep on : continue
went on smoking
c
: proceed
went on to win the election
2
: to take place : happen
what's going on
3
: to talk especially in an effusive manner
the way people go on about their ancestorsHamilton Basso

Examples of goon in a Sentence

Noun He was beat up by a couple of goons. an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him “brainless goons Verb what in the world is going on in there? my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Worldly and style-conscious, with a doctorate in economics and a résumé that includes a stint at Goldman Sachs, Weidel, 45, looks nothing like the gruff, tattooed stereotype of the right-wing goon. Simon Shuster/berlin, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025 She and the hotel company’s goons give him 20 minutes to pack. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Today, the nonprofit Outer Banks Conservationists has taken over care of the landmark, making sure its light still goes on nightly. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025 Funerals or other events that can’t be postponed, such as baptisms or weddings, that had been scheduled may still go on. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goon

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably short for English dialect gooney simpleton

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of goon was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goon. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

goon

1 of 2 noun
1
: a stupid person
2
: a person hired to terrorize or beat up or kill opponents

go on

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to continue on or as if on a journey
life goes on
b
: to keep on : continue
went on talking
2
: to take place : happen
what's going on

More from Merriam-Webster on goon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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