ogle
Americanverb (used with object)
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to look at amorously, flirtatiously, or impertinently.
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to eye; look or stare at.
verb (used without object)
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to look amorously, flirtatiously, or impertinently.
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to look or stare.
noun
verb
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to look at (someone) amorously or lustfully
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(tr) to stare or gape at
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has ogledperfect 3rd person singular
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have ogledperfect
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are oglingprogressive
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is oglingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been oglingperfect progressive
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has been oglingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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oglingparticiple
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am oglingprogressive 1st person singular
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oglessingular 3rd person
Past
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had ogledperfect
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were oglingprogressive plural
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had been oglingperfect progressive
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ogledsimple
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was oglingprogressive singular
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ogledparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of ogle
1670–80; apparently < Dutch, frequentative ( see -le) of oogen to make eyes at, derivative of oog eye (compare Low German oegeln, German äugeln )
Explanation
When you ogle someone, you look at them with love or desire in mind. And if you're a cartoon character, you might also be drooling. Though it's most often used to refer to the way people gaze at each other, the verb ogle can also be used when talking about any object of desire — like when you ogle those designer jeans or that red Ferrari. The word comes from the 1680s German word oeglen, meaning "look at." Men are known to ogle women much more frequently than women ogle men. Ever seen a scene in a movie where a pretty lady walks into a bar and all the men turn on their bar stools to watch her pass by? That's classic ogling.
Vocabulary lists containing ogle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Because the giants stand in the open air, visitors who show up after hours — as I did — can ogle them any time.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
Nearly half a million people were expected to pass through the sprawling Javits Convention Center, from industry bigwigs to families just coming to ogle hundreds of new vehicles on display.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Walking out to The Point, a promontory jutting out into the water, is a worthy endeavor any time of day — and a chance to ogle your favorite million-dollar-view campsite.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2023
Well, at least we can ogle some pics and see how the strange looks of the Pixel 6 will evolve.
From The Verge • May 11, 2022
Ralph could only ogle, though, helpless with envy, as Grover balled up his napkin.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
