Word
goggles
Phoneticsgog·gles
US/ˈɡɑɡəɫz/
UK/ɡˈɒɡəlz/
Definitions
01protective eyewear
n. special glasses that fit tightly against your skin to keep out water, dust, or chemicals.
n. protective eyewear with a flexible frame that fits snugly against the face to prevent the entry of water, wind, or hazardous materials.
“You must wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes from the chlorine in the pool.”
“The laboratory safety protocol requires all researchers to wear chemical-resistant goggles whenever they are handling volatile substances.”
Usage
Always used in the plural form when referring to the eyewear.
Pitfall
I forgot my goggle for the swimming lesson.
I forgot my goggles for the swimming lesson.
Like 'glasses' or 'scissors', this word is almost always used in the plural form.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse these with 'glasses'. Remind them that goggles are for protection or sport, while glasses are for seeing better.
Synonyms
03to stare
v. to look at something with your eyes wide open because you are surprised.
v. to stare with wide or bulging eyes, typically in a state of astonishment or disbelief.
“The crowd started to goggle at the giant balloon floating over the city.”
“The tourists stood there goggling at the sheer height of the cathedral, their mouths agape in silent wonder.”
Literary
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'at'.
Teaching tip
This verb is much less common than the noun. It suggests a physical bulging of the eyes.
Synonyms
Etymology
Probably from goggle, from the appearance it gives the wearer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
beer goggles — The illusion that people are more sexually attractive, brought on by alcohol consumption.
love goggles — Blindness to criticism or objectivity directed at a person with whom one is in love.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/goggles