What does goggle mean?
Goggle most often means to stare with the eyes opened unusually wide, as when a person is surprised, amazed, or struggling to understand what they are seeing. The verb is especially natural for a reaction visible on the face: a crowd may goggle at an unexpected result, and a child may goggle at a performer. It often carries a slightly comic or literary tone, so 'stare' or 'look wide-eyed' may be preferable in neutral prose. As an adjective, goggle describes bulging, conspicuous eyes. As a noun, goggle generally appears in the plural form goggles, meaning protective eyewear that fits closely around the eyes. Goggle therefore covers both an expressive act of looking and, by extension, equipment designed to protect the eyes. Its usefulness lies in capturing a recognizable, slightly exaggerated reaction that ordinary words such as 'look' do not convey.
To stare with the eyes opened wide, especially in surprise, amazement, or disbelief.
"The audience goggled when the magician pulled a rabbit from his hat."
Usually intransitive and often mildly comic or literary in tone.
Bulging or conspicuously wide, especially as if staring in surprise.
"The child stared with goggle eyes at the snowfall."
Chiefly descriptive or literary; 'goggle-eyed' is more idiomatic in many contexts.
Protective eyewear that fits closely around the eyes, normally worn as a pair.
"She put on her goggles before entering the windy harbor."
In modern standard English, the noun is normally used only in the plural form 'goggles'.
Goggle is normally a plural-only noun in modern standard English; one item is referred to as 'a goggle' only in specialist or historical usage.
"The diver lowered the goggles into the water and checked the seal."
Goggle is the wide-eyed reaction; goggles are the gear that keeps the elements out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How goggle is actually used
The verb is especially evocative when describing a facial reaction and often has a mildly comic or literary tone. In neutral prose, 'stare' or 'look wide-eyed' may be more direct.
Easily confused with goggle
Goggle means to stare with wide-open eyes, whereas gaggle means to vomit noisily; their spellings are similar, but their meanings are unrelated.