Definition

1. Proper noun:

   • A specific, widely used internet search engine: "Google" is the trademarked name of a dominant web search engine that uses algorithms to find and rank web pages relevant to a user's query.

2. Verb (transitive/intransitive):

   • To search for information on the internet, especially using the Google search engine: The act of using any internet search engine, but most commonly Google, to find online information.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:

  • I found the article through Google. (I used the Google search engine to locate the article.)
  • Google is a very powerful tool for researchers. (The Google search engine is a very powerful tool.)

• Verb:

  • She googled her symptoms before visiting the doctor. (She searched for information about her symptoms online using a search engine.)
  • If you don't know the answer, just google it. (If you don't know, search for the answer online.)

Advanced Usage

• "to google oneself": to search for one's own name on a search engine to see what information appears.

  • Many people google themselves out of curiosity. (Many people search for their own name online.)

• "googling" (gerund/noun): the activity of searching online.

  • His googling led him to a fascinating forum. (His online search led him to a fascinating forum.)

Variants and Related Words

• Googler (noun): a person who uses the Google search engine.

  • As a frequent googler, he knows many search tricks.

• Ungoogleable (adjective, informal): describing something that cannot be found using a web search.

  • The answer to that obscure question seems to be ungoogleable.

Synonyms

• Search (verb): to look for information.
• Look up (phrasal verb): to search for a specific piece of information.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a trademarked name used as a verb, "google" does not have traditional phrasal verbs. Its usage is typically straightforward ("google something").

Related Idioms

• "Don't ask me, google it!": A common, informal retold to suggest someone should find the answer themselves online.
  • A: "When was the telephone invented?" B: "Don't ask me, google it!"

Noun

1. a widely used search engine that uses text-matching techniques to find web pages that are important and relevant to a user's search

Verb

1. search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine
   • He googled the woman he had met at the party
   • My children are googling all day