ankle
ANG-kuhl
Ankle (noun) means the joint connecting the foot to the leg. Example: “She twisted her ankle stepping off the curb.”
noun
1
The joint connecting the foot to the leg.
"She twisted her ankle stepping off the curb."
"Ice the ankle to bring the swelling down."
verb
1
Informal: to walk, especially casually.
"He ankled over to say hello."
How to use ankle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe joint where the foot meets the leg.
Common pairings
sprained ankle
ankle sock
twist an ankle
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ankle.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- ankles
- Third person singular
- ankles
- Past tense
- ankled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She twisted her _____ stepping off the curb.
Etymology
From Old English ancol, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch enkel and German Enkel — ultimately related to Latin angulus ("angle, corner").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ankle” mean?
The word “ankle” means the joint connecting the foot to the leg. In plain terms, the joint where the foot meets the leg.
How do you pronounce “ankle”?
“Ankle” is pronounced ANG-kuhl (/ˈeɪ̯ŋ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ankle” in a sentence?
Here is “ankle” used in a sentence: “She twisted her ankle stepping off the curb.”
What part of speech is “ankle”?
Depending on how it is used, “ankle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ankle” come from?
The word “ankle” comes from Latin. From Old English ancol, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch enkel and German Enkel — ultimately related to Latin angulus ("angle, corner").
Is “ankle” a common word?
“Ankle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “ankle” have?
“Ankle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the joint connecting the foot to the leg.
What is the difference between the ankle and the heel?
The ankle is the joint that connects the foot to the leg and lets the foot move up, down, and from side to side. The heel is the rounded back part of the foot, below and behind the ankle, that takes your weight when you stand. They are neighbouring parts but not the same thing.
What is the difference between a sprained ankle and a broken ankle?
A sprained ankle involves stretched or torn ligaments, the soft tissue around the joint, while a broken ankle means one of the bones in the joint is cracked or fractured. A break is generally more serious and often more painful than a sprain. Only a medical professional can tell them apart for certain.
