noun

googly

GGLEE

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Googly (noun) means In cricket, a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler that spins the opposite way to what the batsman expects. Example: “The bowler caught him out with a perfectly disguised googly.”

noun

In cricket, a deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spin bowler that spins the opposite way to what the batsman expects.

"Pelham Warner says Bosanquet is really invaluable. He can bowl as badly as anyone in the world, but when he gets a length those slow googlies, as the Australian players call them, are apt to paralyse the greatest players." — The Otago Witness, Otago (1904)

"He bowled a googly that sparked a shout for LBW."

"The bowler caught him out with a perfectly disguised googly."

"His weakness in batting is against googly."

adj

Wide-eyed or bulging, often describing eyes.

"The cartoon character had big, googly eyes."

How to use googly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA trick cricket delivery, or a way of describing big, bulging eyes (as in "googly eyes").

Common pairings

googly eyes bowl a googly

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: googlies
Comparative: googlier
Superlative: googliest

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The bowler caught him out with a perfectly disguised _____.

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.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 googly joined the language around 1900.

addictive Alfredo Alyssa antsy applesauce

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Synonyms

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bosie wrong 'un bosie ball

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.