goggle

IPA/ˈɡɒɡl/
KK[ɡˈɑɡəl]IPA/ˈɡɑːɡl/

goggle — verb

  • gogglepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • goggleshe / she / it
  • goggledpast simple
  • goggling-ing form

1. to open your eyes very wide and fix your gaze on someone or something, usually b

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to open your eyes very wide and fix your gaze on someone or something, usually because you are very surprised, shocked, or amazed by what you see

Example

Javier goggled at the price tag on the designer handbag in the shop window.

collocation: goggle at + object

Opening the front door, Amina goggled at the huge surprise her friends had prepared.

goggle at + surprise / unexpected sight

Common collocations
  • goggle at
  • goggle in surprise
  • goggle in amazement
  • goggle in horror
Synonyms
  • stare

    more general — can be done for many reasons (rudeness, curiosity, fascination); 'goggle' specifically adds wide eyes and surprise

  • gape

    adds an open mouth to the surprise; 'gape' suggests stronger shock or stupidity

  • gawk

    more negative — implies clumsy or stupid staring; 'goggle' is less judgmental

  • gawp

    chiefly British; similar to 'gape' but often used humorously

Grammar Patterns

goggle + at + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in narrative writing to describe a character's strong reaction to something unexpected. The subject is always a living being capable of expressing surprise.

Common Mistakes

She goggled him when he walked in.
She goggled at him when he walked in.
'goggle' is intransitive and needs 'at' before the object.
He goggled the newspaper carefully.
He read the newspaper carefully.
'goggle' means a wide-eyed surprised stare, not a careful or focused look.

goggle — adjective

Word family

  • goggle-eyed
    adjectiveC1
  • goggles
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Goggle, stare, gape, gawk, and gawp all describe looking intently, but they differ in intensity and connotation. 'Stare' is the most neutral — it means a fixed, prolonged look that may express curiosity, rudeness, or deep thought. 'Gape' adds an open mouth, suggesting stronger astonishment or stupidity. 'Gawk' carries a negative tone, implying clumsy, socially awkward staring, often at something considered common or ordinary. 'Gawp' is chiefly British and overlaps with 'gape' but is more informal and sometimes humorous. 'Goggle' is distinct in emphasizing wide-open eyes due to shock or amazement, and the verb often pairs with 'at' plus the surprising object. For example: a tourist might goggle at the price of a meal in a luxury hotel, while a child might gape at the magician's disappearing coin.

stare ↗gape ↗gawk ↗gawp ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • eyes (goggle eyes)
  • eyes (subject: someone goggle at…)

Adverbs

  • goggle wildly
  • goggle helplessly

Phrases

  • goggle in amazement
  • goggle in surprise
  • goggle in horror

Prepositions

  • at (goggle at something)

Etymology

Middle EnglishEnglish

The verb 'goggle' dates from the early 1500s. It probably comes from Middle English 'gogelen', meaning 'to squint' or 'to look sideways', perhaps imitating the rolling motion of the eyes. The adjective sense ('having bulging eyes') developed from the verb in the 1600s. The noun 'goggles' (protective eyewear) appeared in the early 1700s — because early goggles made the wearer look wide-eyed and pop-eyed, as if goggling at something.

First known use

1742

1742, in the meaning defined above Adjective