angel
Pluralangels
Pluralangels
Formsangels
- 1A spirit that serves God or carries God's messages, often shown with wings.
Like a messenger sent from heaven to bring news to people.
The story tells how an angel appeared to the frightened shepherds.
Many old paintings show angels with golden wings and white robes.
UsageDon't mix up angel (with wings) and angle (a corner).
Note
- 2A very kind, good or innocent person, as in 'you're an angel for helping'.
Like someone so helpful and good that you can always count on them.
My grandmother was an angel who cared for everyone in town.
Thank you for helping me move. You're such an angel!
UsageUse be an angel and + verb to ask for a favor.
Similarsaint, gem, treasure, darling
Oppositedevil
- 3A person who gives their own money to help start a new business or put on a show.
Like a helper with money who believes in your idea before anyone else does.
An angel helped fund her bakery when no bank would lend.
The startup finally found an angel to back their first product.
UsageAlso called an angel investor.
Similarbacker, investor, sponsor, patron
Note
- 4
- 5A spirit that stays with a person, for good or for evil.
Like an invisible companion who whispers advice, good or bad.
He believed a good angel watched over him each day.
Diſpaire thy Charme, / And let the Angell whom thou ſtill haſt ſeru’d / Tell thee, Macduffe was from his Mothers womb / Vntimely ript.
c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”Here, angel means a spirit that goes with a person and guides them.UsageSay guardian angel: a spirit that keeps you safe.
Note
Less common meanings
- 6To give money to pay for a show or project.
Like paying for a friend's big idea so it can finally come true.
A wealthy fan offered to angel the new musical.
They asked her to angel their first production.
UsagePast form: angeled or angelled.
Similarback, fund, finance, bankroll, underwrite
Note
- 7A mark on a radar screen that air controllers cannot explain.
Like seeing a shadow you can't explain and not knowing what made it.
The controller spotted an angel on his screen just after midnight.
The radar showed an angel, but it was only a flock of birds.
Similarblip
Note
- 8An old English gold coin showing the archangel Michael, used hundreds of years ago.
Like a rare old coin you might see behind glass in a museum.
The merchant paid for the cloth with a single gold angel.
A farmer found a gold angel, an old English coin, in his field.
Note
- 9In some old churches, the bishop or minister who leads the church.
Note
- 10A person who has Angelman syndrome. People often write it with a capital A.
- 11A height in the air, counted in thousands of feet.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of angel apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It came through Old English and Middle English from Latin angelus, which came from Greek ángelos, meaning "messenger."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- English angel came through Old English and Middle English from Latin angelus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin angelus came from Greek ángelos, meaning messenger. en.wikipedia.org