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to goggle

to goggle

2 6.1
To look with eyes wide open because you are surprised
  • verb
  • /ˈɡɑɡəl/
translation icon : mirar boquiabierto
  • "A sizeable crowd is goggling at the body."
  • goggling eyes

Examples

  • "Sir?" The Chief of Staff goggled.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Idris goggled at the device, then said to Sadry: "What, our words to be set down and used against us?"

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The group just stood there, goggling for a moment.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Well, confound it, what are you goggling at?

  • Our customers don't just come here to goggle; they want to be entertained.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Keep walking, Shanahan, and don't goggle at me.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Gerston goggled, unable to make sense of this.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Basil stopped just inside, trying not to goggle at the immense foyer.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Instead, he froze, goggling, and stumbled backward, knocking over one of the trash cans.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • She goggled at the astonishing magic trick, unable to believe her eyes.

Synonyms

to gawk
vsto goggle
  • Informal
27 6.1

To stare openly at a person or thing because you feel surprised

is a wide open gaze showing astonishment rather than rude staring
to gape
vsto goggle
14 3.8

To look with your mouth open in surprise or wonder

is an eye focused wide gaze showing astonishment or stupidity rather than mouth opening
to gawk at
vsto goggle
  • Informal
12 6.3

To stare openly in a rude or surprised way

is a wide open gaze showing astonishment rather than merely staring at something
to bug out
vsto goggle
5 8.0

To have your eyes stick out because you are surprised or shocked

is a wide open gaze showing astonishment or stupidity rather than bulging
to gawp
vsto goggle
  • UK
2 9.1

To stare openly and rudely because you are surprised or curious

is a wide open gaze showing astonishment or stupidity rather than rude looking
to gaw
vsto goggle
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To stare openly because you are surprised or curious

is a wide open astonished gaze rather than a general foolish stare
to bug-out
vsto goggle
  • Informal
8.2

To have your eyes stick out because you are surprised

is a wide open gaze showing astonishment or stupidity rather than sticking out

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

125 2.2

Turn your eyes away from a person or thing that makes you uncomfortable

Compounds

goggle box
  • Archaic
8.1

A box in the home used to watch TV

9.9

A small coastal fish with big eyes used as bait

How Surprised

to gape
14 3.8
to goggle
2 6.1
to gawk
  • Informal
27 6.1
to stare
1.0
look
1.0
to glance
299 1.5

Surface Forms

goggle infinitive
goggled past
goggled past participle
goggling present participle
goggles third person singular

Etymology

Goggle comes from an old verb that meant 'to stare with wide eyes'. It is the same root as the everyday word goggles ('eye-protectors'), so imagine the round glass making your eyes look very wide — that picture helps you remember that to goggle is to look with very wide-open eyes.