The word "ogle" is spelled with the letters ‘o’, ‘g’, ‘l’, and ‘e’ in that order. The IPA transcription of ‘ogle’ is /ˈoʊɡəl/. The first sound /oʊ/ represents a diphthong, a combination of the vowel sounds /o/ and /ʊ/. The letter ‘g’ corresponds to the consonant sound /ɡ/, while the letter ‘l’ corresponds to the consonant sound /l/. Finally, the letter ‘e’ at the end is silent and adds no extra sound to the word.
Ogle, as a verb, refers to the act of looking at someone or something with strong and obvious admiration, desire, or interest, usually in a way that is considered impolite or inappropriate. It implies a fixed, intense, and often prolonged gaze directed towards the subject of fascination, often accompanied by lecherous or lustful intentions. This term is typically used to describe a visual examination of a person's physical appearance, especially if it conveys a sense of objectifying or undressing the individual through one's eyes.
The act of ogling is often associated with a particular attraction towards someone and can be seen as a form of voyeurism or unwanted attention. It is considered impolite, disrespectful, and objectifying, as it can make the person being ogled feel uncomfortable, exposed, or even violated. Ogle can also be used to describe intense scrutiny or fascination with an object or action, although this usage is less common.
Etymologically, the word "ogle" originated in the mid-17th century, deriving from the Middle Low German word "ogelen," meaning "to look at furtively." It ultimately evolved from the Old Norse term "uggla," meaning "to fear, to dread." The term gained its contemporary connotation through cultural shifts and societal perceptions over time.
• A side glance or look.
• To view with side glances to attract notice, or in fondness.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ogle" originated in the early 17th century from the Middle Dutch word "ooghen", meaning "to look at" or "to eye". It gradually transformed into the verb "ooglen" in Middle English, which then evolved into "ogle" in modern English. The word ultimately derives from the Old High German word "ougōn", meaning "to frighten" or "to be afraid". Over time, the meaning of "ogle" shifted from simply looking at something intently to staring in a way that suggests desire or attraction.