googly
3 synonyms for googly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In cricket, a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler that spins the opposite way to what the batsman expects.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bosie
wrong 'un
bosie ball
How to use googly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
googly eyes
bowl a googly
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly linked to "googie," an old slang term for an egg, referencing the ball's unexpected bounce. Popularized by cricketer Bernard Bosanquet around 1900.
Full origin of googly →Frequently asked questions
What does “googly” mean?
The word “googly” means in cricket, a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler that spins the opposite way to what the batsman expects. In plain terms, a trick cricket delivery, or a way of describing big, bulging eyes (as in "googly eyes").
How do you pronounce “googly”?
“Googly” is pronounced GGLEE (/ˈɡuɡli/ in IPA).
How do you use “googly” in a sentence?
Here is “googly” used in a sentence: “The bowler caught him out with a perfectly disguised googly.”
What part of speech is “googly”?
Depending on how it is used, “googly” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “googly” come from?
The word “googly” dates back to around 1900. Origin uncertain; possibly linked to "googie," an old slang term for an egg, referencing the ball's unexpected bounce. Popularized by cricketer Bernard Bosanquet around 1900.
How many meanings does “googly” have?
“Googly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in cricket, a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler that spins the opposite way to what the batsman expects.
Related words
googly eye
googly-eyed
googly-moogly
