goggles

IPA/ˈɡɒɡlz/
KK[ɡˈɑɡəlz]IPA/ˈɡɑːɡlz/

goggles — noun

1. Close-fitting glasses whose bendable frame seals tightly around the eyes, worn t

1.nounB1
Definition

Close-fitting glasses whose bendable frame seals tightly around the eyes, worn to block water, dust, chemicals, or bright light during activities like swimming, skiing, welding, and lab work.

Example

Adisa forgot her swimming goggles and had to sit out the race.

collocation: swimming goggles

Minh adjusted his ski goggles before the steep downhill run began.

collocation: ski goggles

Common collocations
  • safety goggles
  • ski goggles
  • swimming goggles
  • welding goggles
  • protective goggles
  • wear goggles
  • put on goggles
  • take off goggles
  • a pair of goggles
  • goggle strap
  • goggle lenses
Synonyms
  • safety glasses

    less protective than goggles; have side shields but do not seal against the face

  • protective eyewear

    a broad category that includes goggles, face shields, and safety glasses

  • spectacles

    everyday glasses for correcting vision, not for protection

Grammar Patterns

a pair of goggles

Usage Note

Always plural in this sense; the singular 'goggle' is almost never used for protective eyewear. Use 'a pair of goggles' to refer to one unit.

Common Mistakes

I need to buy a new goggle for the pool.
I need to buy a new pair of goggles for the pool.
'goggles' is always plural; never use the singular 'goggle' for the eyewear.

2. A wearable electronic device that fits over the eyes and contains built-in scree

2.nounB2
Definition

A wearable electronic device that fits over the eyes and contains built-in screens — allowing the user to see in darkness, explore virtual worlds, or view digital information laid over the real surroundings.

Example

Megan tried on a pair of VR goggles and gasped at the virtual mountaintop.

collocation: VR goggles

The soldiers used night-vision goggles to move through the forest after dark.

collocation: night-vision goggles

Common collocations
  • night-vision goggles
  • VR goggles
  • virtual-reality goggles
  • augmented-reality goggles
  • thermal-imaging goggles
  • electronic goggles
  • smart goggles
  • a pair of goggles
Synonyms
  • VR headset

    more common in consumer marketing for virtual-reality devices

  • smart glasses

    lighter and look more like regular glasses; do not seal around the eyes

  • night-vision goggles

    specific to devices that amplify low light

Grammar Patterns

a pair of goggles

Usage Note

Always plural, like sense 1. Frequently appears in compound names: 'VR goggles', 'night-vision goggles', 'AR goggles'. Distinguish from sense 1 — these contain screens and electronics, not just protective lenses.

Common Mistakes

He bought an expensive VR goggle online.
He bought an expensive pair of VR goggles online.
electronic goggles also take the plural form; use 'a pair of' for one unit.

Word family

  • goggle
    verbB2
  • goggle-eyed
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Goggles' are close-fitting protective glasses that seal around the eyes, designed to keep out water, dust, chemicals, and flying debris. 'Safety glasses' look more like normal glasses; they have side shields but leave a gap around the eyes — good for impact protection but useless against splashes or fine powder. 'Protective eyewear' is the umbrella term covering both goggles and safety glasses as well as face shields and visors. 'Spectacles' (or just 'glasses') correct vision and offer no meaningful protection. 'Sunglasses' block bright sunlight but sit loosely on the face and will not keep out water or dust. A chemistry student pouring acid needs goggles; a carpenter hammering nails can manage with safety glasses; someone reading a book just needs spectacles.

goggles ↗safety glassesprotective eyewearspectacles ↗sunglasses ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • pair (a pair of goggles)
  • strap (goggle strap)
  • lenses (goggle lenses)
  • frame (goggle frame)

Phrases

  • put on goggles
  • take off goggles
  • wear goggles
  • adjust your goggles
  • clean your goggles

Prepositions

  • goggles for + activity (goggles for skiing)
  • goggles with + feature (goggles with anti-fog coating)

Etymology

Middle EnglishModern English

From the Middle English verb 'gogelen' (to stare or roll the eyes about). In the 14th century, to 'goggle' meant to look with wide, bulging eyes. By the 1700s, people began calling protective eyewear 'goggles' because the thick lenses made the wearer's eyes appear enlarged and staring — much like the 'goggle-eyed' expression of shock or intense focus.

First known use

1715

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1