gogglebox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “gogglebox” mean?
A television set.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A television set.
A colloquial term for television or the television as a medium, referring to the device itself or the activity of watching it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly British. The American equivalent informal term is 'boob tube' or 'idiot box', though 'gogglebox' is understood by some American speakers due to cultural exchange.
Connotations
In the UK, it often carries a warm, nostalgic, or self-deprecating connotation about watching TV. In the US, it may sound distinctly British and quaint.
Frequency
Very common in UK colloquial speech, especially among older generations; rare in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “gogglebox” in a Sentence
spend [time period] in front of the goggleboxglued to the goggleboxthe gogglebox is on/brokenVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation to refer to watching television. 'What's on the gogglebox tonight?'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gogglebox”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gogglebox”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gogglebox”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I goggleboxed').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's common in British informal speech but is considered slightly dated. It is not common in American English.
No, it specifically refers to a television set. Using it for other screens would be non-standard and likely misunderstood.
Yes, in the UK there is a popular television programme called 'Gogglebox' which features people reacting to TV shows from their own homes, playing on the word's meaning.
Typically as a noun, often preceded by 'the': 'What's on the gogglebox tonight?' or 'I'm going to park myself in front of the gogglebox.'
A television set.
Gogglebox is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Gogglebox: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒɡl̩bɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːɡl̩bɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “glued to the gogglebox”
- “slumped in front of the gogglebox”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person with wide, 'goggling' eyes staring at a BOX (the TV). The word combines the action and the object.
Conceptual Metaphor
TELEVISION IS A HYPNOTIC BOX (suggesting passive, entranced consumption).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the register of 'gogglebox'?