What does googly mean?
“Googly” is an informal word with two firmly established uses. In ordinary conversation, it is chiefly an adjective describing eyes that bulge, protrude, or stare in an odd, conspicuous way: “The baby was awake, wearing its googly eyes.” The expression is playful and often appears in descriptions of cartoons, children, surprised faces, and humorous reactions. It can also function as a noun in cricket, where a googly is a delivery bowled with spin that turns sharply and deceives the batsman. The sporting sense is especially associated with Australian and British cricket. Together, the uses make “googly” a memorable example of how the same word can describe both a striking facial feature and a deceptive piece of sports technique. It is informal in general use, so it is less appropriate in formal writing than a precise description of someone’s eyes or a bowler’s delivery.
Having bulging, protruding, or oddly fixed eyes.
"The clown wore googly eyes and a bright red nose."
Informal and often humorous; “googly eyes” is the most frequent expression.
A cricket delivery bowled with spin, especially one that turns sharply away from the batsman.
"The batsman was beaten by a perfectly timed googly."
Established cricket terminology, especially common in Australian and British usage.
The plural is used for multiple spin deliveries in cricket.
"The spinner delivered two googlies in consecutive overs."
One word can evoke a cartoon face and a cricket bowler’s surprise delivery: googly eyes belong to the playground, while a googly belongs to the pitch.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does googly come from?
The precise origin of “googly” is uncertain, and its development is most clearly reflected in the expression “googly eyes” and the related form “googly-eyed.” The cricket noun developed as specialist terminology, with the word becoming established for a spin delivery that deceives a batsman.
Related word forms
How googly is actually used
The eye-related use is informal and playful, often humorous or mildly disparaging rather than seriously insulting. The cricket noun is established sports terminology and is most common in Australian and British cricket writing.
Easily confused with googly
“Goggle” usually means to stare with wide or bulging eyes, whereas “googly” commonly describes the appearance of the eyes themselves.