angle
Pluralangles
Pluralangles
- 1The space between two lines that meet, measured in degrees.
Like how far a door is open, from just a crack to all the way.
The angle between the clock's hands at three o'clock is ninety degrees.
Turn the wheel through a small angle to stay in your lane.
UsageSay an angle of 90 degrees, or at an angle for slanting.
Note
- 2A way of looking at or thinking about something, or the part of a story someone chooses to focus on.
Like walking around a statue to see it from every side.
Try to look at the problem from a different angle.
From a parent's angle, the new rule seemed unfair.
UsageSay from a different angle.
Similarperspective, viewpoint, slant, standpoint, approach
Note
- 3To put or point something at a slant, or to move in a slanting direction.
Angle the lamp toward your book so you can read better.
She angled the fan to push cool air across the room.
UsageSay something is angled, or angle it down or toward something.
Similartilt, slant, aim, point, direct
Oppositestraighten
Note
- 4To fish with a line that has a hook on the end.
Grandpa likes to angle for trout in the river behind his house.
They angled all morning but caught nothing.
UsageSay angle for fish.
Similarfish
Note
- 5
Less common meanings
- 6
- 7
- 8To tell or present something in a way that helps one side or one idea.
Like holding a toy so your friend only sees the good side.
Reporters sometimes angle their stories to please their biggest advertisers.
He angled his answer so the teacher would not blame him.
UsageOften used with toward or at (a story angled toward young readers).
- 9
- 10A hook and line used for catching fish.
A fisher next his trembling angle bears.
1717, Alexander Pope, Vertuminus and PomonaHere, angle means a fishing hook and line, sometimes on a rod.Give me mine angle: we'll to the river there.
c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”Note
- 11In pro wrestling, the made-up story that explains why two wrestlers are fighting.
- 12One of the four most important points on an astrology chart.
- 13In pool, to trap a player by leaving the white ball where the pocket's edge blocks the shot.
- 14A type of small butterfly that flies fast in short, quick bursts.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of angle apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origins
From Latin 'angulus', meaning 'corner', which came into English through French.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The word derives from Latin 'angulus', meaning 'corner'. en.wikipedia.org
- The word entered English through French. en.wiktionary.org
From an older English verb meaning 'to meet at an angle', formed from the noun 'angle'.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact
- The verb descends from Middle English anglen, meaning 'to meet at an angle', formed from the noun angle. en.wiktionary.org
From Old English 'angel', meaning 'hook' or 'fishhook', from a Germanic root meaning 'hook'.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The fishing noun derives from Old English 'angel', meaning 'hook' or 'fishhook'. en.wiktionary.org
- Its Germanic ancestor meant 'hook'. en.wiktionary.org
From an older English verb meaning 'to fish with a hook', perhaps from Old English.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Angle comes from an older English verb meaning 'to fish with a hook'. en.wiktionary.org
- The older verb may derive from Old English. en.wiktionary.org