Meaning & use
toggle
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitivecomputing
To switch something between two settings, such as on and off, with a single action.
Grammar: With an object: toggle the light; without one the control switches: the setting toggles.
Patterns
- toggle something on
- toggle something off
- toggle between something and something
Press this key to toggle the sound on and off.
You can toggle the dark theme in the settings menu.
The switch toggles every time you tap it.
verbintransitiveinformal
To move back and forth between two things, such as windows or tasks.
Grammar: Used with between: toggle between two tabs.
Patterns
- toggle between something and something
I toggle between my email and the report all day.
Translators often toggle between two languages.
She toggled between the maps to compare routes.
nouncountable
A short bar or peg used to fasten a coat, rope or bag by passing it through a loop.
Grammar: Refers to a small fastener on clothing or equipment.
Patterns
- a toggle on something
The duffel coat closed with wooden toggles.
He tied the rope around a toggle.
A tiny toggle held the hood strap in place.
nouncountablecomputing
A control, usually on a screen, that turns a feature on or off.
Grammar: Often a button or slider in an app: the toggle for notifications.
Patterns
- a toggle for something
Tap the toggle to enable location sharing.
The app has a toggle for night mode.
A small toggle sits beside each setting.
Word forms
| plural | toggles |
|---|---|
| third person singular | toggles |
| past tense | toggled |
| past participle | toggled |
| -ing form | toggling |
Common combinations
- toggle on
- Toggle on the airplane mode before takeoff.
- toggle off
- You can toggle off alerts at night.
- toggle between
- She toggled between two spreadsheets.
- toggle switch
- The old radio had a metal toggle switch.
- toggle button
- Click the toggle button to hide the menu.
Synonyms and how they differ
- switch
- Switch is broader and can change to any option, while toggle suggests exactly two states.
- flip
- Flip is a physical, casual motion, but toggle is more common for software settings.
- alternate
- Alternate means to take turns repeatedly, not to make a single deliberate switch.
- flick
- Flick describes a quick finger movement, not the change of state itself.
Word family
Commonly confused: toggle or toddle?
toggle vs toddle
Toddle means to walk with small unsteady steps, as a young child does, and is unrelated to switching.
Practice
Most apps have a ___ that lets you turn notifications on and off.
Choose one answer.
A toggle is a control with two states; the other options are real words but do not name an on-off control.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “toggle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.