mickey mouse
adjective
trite and commercially slick in character; corny.
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mickey mouse
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Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouseadjectiveineffective; trivial; insignificant
mickey mouse
Americanadjective
(often initial capital letters)
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trite and commercially slick in character; corny.
mickey mouse music.
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useless, insignificant, or worthless.
mickey mouse activities just to fill up one's time.
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trivial or petty.
mickey mouse regulations.
Mickey Mouse
British
adjective
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ineffective; trivial; insignificant
he settled for a Mickey Mouse job instead of something challenging
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(of music, esp that of dance bands) mechanical or spiritless
Mickey Mouse
Cultural
Etymology
Origin of mickey mouse
First recorded in 1930–35; after the animated cartoon character created by Walt Disney, originally with reference to the banal dance-band music played as background to the cartoons
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He was reportedly wearing jeans and a mickey mouse shirt when he escaped.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 14, 2016
I need you to perform at her party with specifically a minnie mouse dead-mow-five head… not a mickey mouse dead-mow-five head.
From Time ● Mar. 2, 2016
"There's no economy in the world can grow and provide public services with air, you know, it's mickey mouse economics."
From BBC ● Jan. 4, 2015
I think what is happening from a public point of view looks a bit mickey mouse and that is not good for the reputation of the university.
From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2011
Doesn't necessarily have the belittling connotations of mainstream slang "Oh, that's just mickey mouse stuff!"; sometimes trivial programs can be very useful. :micro-: pref.
From The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 by Eric S. Raymond
Lululemon Athletica puzzled customers and investors by selling Mickey Mouse sweatshirts, part of a partnership with Disney.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
“We were in our teens coming down to New York on the train or on the bus to audition for things, like ‘The Mickey Mouse Club,’” he told the outlet.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
Then again, there was a recent rodent infestation in a concession stand, painting even the best parts of their operation as Mickey Mouse.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026
Recalling the surprise on Christmas Day, Emma said Sienna, her sister Amelia, 12, and their six cousins found out about the trip through a letter from Mickey Mouse.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
With shaking hands Madame Hoo took the Mickey Mouse clock from Turtle and clutched the priceless treasure to her bosom.
From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
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