angle
ANG-guhl
Angle (noun) means the space between two lines or surfaces that meet at a point, measured in degrees. Example: “The two walls met at a ninety-degree angle.”
noun
1
The space between two lines or surfaces that meet at a point, measured in degrees.
"The two walls met at a ninety-degree angle."
"She adjusted the ladder to a steeper angle."
"A right angle looks like the corner of a sheet of paper."
2
A particular way of looking at or approaching a situation, especially in a story or argument.
"The reporter looked for a fresh angle on the old story."
"Try to see the problem from a different angle."
"From a purely financial angle, moving house seemed a sensible choice."
verb
1
To present something from a particular point of view, often to favor one side.
"The ad was angled to appeal mainly to young parents."
"The newspaper angled its report to make the council look careless."
"She angled her speech towards the shy members of the audience."
2
To fish with a hook and line.
"They spent the morning angling for trout in the river."
"My grandfather loved to angle from the old stone pier at dawn."
"Few things are as calm as angling on a quiet lake."
How to use angle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe geometric space between two meeting lines, or figuratively, a particular viewpoint or slant on something.
Common pairings
right angle
sharp angle
from every angle
a different angle
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Word forms
- Plural
- angles
- Third person singular
- angles
- Past tense
- angled
Fill the gap
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The two walls met at a ninety-degree _____.
Etymology
From Latin angulus ("corner"), which also gave English the word "ankle."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for angle
See all rhymes for angle →Frequently asked questions
What does “angle” mean?
The word “angle” means the space between two lines or surfaces that meet at a point, measured in degrees. In plain terms, the geometric space between two meeting lines, or figuratively, a particular viewpoint or slant on something.
How do you pronounce “angle”?
“Angle” is pronounced ANG-guhl (/ˈeɪ̯ŋ.ɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “angle” in a sentence?
Here is “angle” used in a sentence: “The two walls met at a ninety-degree angle.”
What is another word for “angle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “angle” include corner and nook.
What part of speech is “angle”?
Depending on how it is used, “angle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “angle” come from?
The word “angle” comes from Latin. From Latin angulus ("corner"), which also gave English the word "ankle.".
Is “angle” a common word?
“Angle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “angle” have?
“Angle” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the space between two lines or surfaces that meet at a point, measured in degrees.
What is the difference between an angle and a perspective?
An angle is a particular way of approaching or framing a situation, often chosen deliberately, as when a journalist looks for a fresh angle on a story. A perspective is the broader point of view shaped by someone's position or experience. In practice, you choose an angle but you have a perspective.
Is angle formal or informal when it means a point of view?
Angle in the sense of an approach to a story or argument is neutral to slightly informal, and is very common in journalism and marketing. In formal academic writing, "perspective," "approach," or "viewpoint" usually sounds more appropriate.
What are common collocations with angle?
In geometry, common phrases include "right angle," "acute angle," "obtuse angle," and "at an angle," referring to the space between two lines or surfaces measured in degrees. In the figurative sense, people speak of a "fresh angle," a "new angle," or "covering every angle" of a story or problem.
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