ogle
C2Informal; sometimes humorous or pejorative.
Definition
Meaning
to look at someone in a desirous, lecherous, or prolonged way, typically in a manner that makes them feel uncomfortable.
To gaze at with strong, often covetous, interest or undisguised desire; to stare flirtatiously or with inappropriate admiration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a verb. The action is intentional and the gaze is laden with desire or lasciviousness. The word almost always implies a negative judgment on the behavior from the perspective of the speaker or the person being ogled.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally pejorative/inappropriate in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be used humorously or lightly in British English (e.g., 'He was ogling the cakes in the bakery window').
Frequency
Comparatively low frequency in both, but understood by educated speakers. Slightly more common in literary or descriptive contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] ogles [Object][Subject] ogles at [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “give someone the glad eye (similar concept, more British)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Highly unlikely; would be considered highly unprofessional.
Academic
Extremely rare, except in literary analysis or social commentary.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation to criticize or mock someone's inappropriate staring.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lads at the pub were ogling the new barmaid.
- It's rude to ogle at people like that.
American English
- He got in trouble for ogling his coworker.
- Stop ogling that sports car; we can't afford it.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her oglingly, which she found offensive.
- The dog stared oglingly at the steak.
American English
- The teenager gazed oglingly at the celebrity.
- He watched the dancers oglingly from his seat.
adjective
British English
- An ogling glance from a stranger made her uneasy.
- He gave her an ogling look from across the bar.
American English
- She felt the ogling stares of the construction workers.
- His ogling behavior was reported to HR.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was ogling the beautiful pictures in the magazine.
- Don't ogle other people's food.
- The tourists ogled the extravagant displays in the shop windows.
- She felt uncomfortable as the man at the next table ogled her throughout the meal.
- The politician was criticised for shamelessly ogling a young reporter during the press conference.
- His novel satirises the wealthy elites who ogle art as a status symbol rather than appreciating it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'OGL' in 'ogle' as 'Oh! Girl!' - the exclamation someone might make when staring inappropriately.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEEING IS DESIRING / THE EYES ARE PREDATORS (e.g., 'He devoured her with his eyes').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not просто 'смотреть' (to look). Closer to 'глазеть', 'рассматривать с вожделением', 'строить глазки' (if flirtatious). Beware of false friend 'оглы' (a Turkic patronymic suffix).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simply 'look at' without the element of desire. Incorrect: 'She ogled the map to find her way.' Correct: 'He ogled the model in the magazine.'
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is the word 'ogle' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always. It implies a stare that is intrusive, objectifying, or lustful. It can be used humorously among friends or in a light-hearted way (e.g., ogling a dessert), but the core meaning carries a judgment of inappropriateness.
You can 'stare' out of curiosity, shock, or boredom. 'Ogle' is a specific type of staring done with clear sexual desire or covetous longing, making the target uncomfortable.
Yes, but this is a figurative extension. You can 'ogle' a sports car or a piece of jewellery, meaning you look at it with intense, desirous admiration. However, the primary use is for looking at people.
The noun is also 'ogle' (e.g., 'He gave her an ogle'), though it's less common than the verb. The agent noun is 'ogler' (someone who ogles).