/ˈɡuːɡəl/
verb
Origin
English
googol — The mathematical term for 1 followed by 100 zeros
Overview
Meaning Now
- To use the Google search engine to find information about someone or something on the internet.
Language path
English
Earliest form
Earliest period
1998
Journey
The term is a proprietary eponym derived from the company name 'Google', which itself was a play on the mathematical term 'googol'. The verb form gained widespread usage in the early 21st century as the act of web searching became synonymous with the platform.
Evolution
- 1920
googol
“The number 10^100”
Coined by Milton Sirotta, nephew of mathematician Edward Kasner.
- 1997
Google
“Proper noun for a search engine”
Spelling modification of 'googol' for the company name.
- 1998
google
“The act of searching for information”
Conversion from proper noun to verb (anthroponym/trademark to verb).
Connections
Word parts
root
To perform an internet search
Explore next
Related to google
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.