angle
noun
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angle
1 American
[ang-guhl]
/ ˈæŋ gəl /
noun
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Geometry.
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the space within two lines or three or more planes diverging from a common point, or within two planes diverging from a common line.
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the figure so formed.
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the amount of rotation needed to bring one line or plane into coincidence with another, generally measured in radians or in degrees, minutes, and seconds, as in 12° 10prime; 30″, which is read as 12 degrees, 10 minutes, and 30 seconds.
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an angular projection; a projecting corner.
the angles of a building.
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a viewpoint; standpoint.
He looked at the problem only from his own angle.
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Journalism.
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the point of view from which copy is written, especially when the copy is intended to interest a particular audience.
The financial editor added a supplementary article from the investor's angle.
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one aspect of an event, problem, subject, etc..
The accountant emphasized the tax angle of the leasing arrangement.
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Movies, Photography. angle shot.
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Informal. a secret motive.
She's been too friendly lately—what's her angle?
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Astrology. any of the four interceptions of the equatorial circle by the two basic axes, the horizon and the meridian: commonly identified by the compass directions.
verb (used with object)
angled,
angling
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to move or bend in an angle.
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to set, fix, direct, or adjust at an angle.
to angle a spotlight.
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Journalism. to write or edit in such a way as to appeal to a particular audience; slant.
She angled her column toward teenagers.
verb (used without object)
angled,
angling
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to turn sharply in a different direction.
The road angles to the right.
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to move or go in angles or at an angle.
The trout angled downstream.
idioms
angle
2
American
[ang-guhl]
/ ˈæŋ gəl /
verb (used without object)
angled,
angling
-
to fish with hook and line.
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to attempt to get something by sly or artful means; fish.
to angle for a compliment.
noun
Angle
3
American
[ang-guhl]
/ ˈæŋ gəl /
noun
angle
1
British
/ ˈæŋɡəl /
verb
-
to fish with a hook and line
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(often foll by for) to attempt to get
he angled for a compliment
noun
Angle
2
British
/ ˈæŋɡəl /
noun
angle
3
British
/ ˈæŋɡəl /
noun
-
the space between two straight lines that diverge from a common point or between two planes that extend from a common line
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the shape formed by two such lines or planes
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the extent to which one such line or plane diverges from another, measured in degrees or radians
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an angular projection or recess; corner
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standpoint; point of view
look at the question from another angle
the angle of a newspaper article
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informal a selfish or devious motive or purpose
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See angle iron
verb
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to move in or bend into angles or an angle
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(tr) to produce (an article, statement, etc) with a particular point of view
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(tr) to present, direct, or place at an angle
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(intr) to turn or bend in a different direction
the path angled sharply to the left
angle
Scientific
/ ăng′gəl /
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A geometric figure formed by two lines that begin at a common point or by two planes that begin at a common line.
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The space between such lines or planes, measured in degrees.
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See also acute angle obtuse angle right angle
Etymology
Origin of angle1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin angulus, akin to uncus “bent” and Greek ankýlos “crooked, curved”; cf. ancylo- ( def. ),
Origin of angle2
First recorded before 900; Middle English noun angel, angle, angul, Old English angel, angul; cognate with Frisian, Dutch angel, Old Saxon, Old High German angul, German Angel, Old Norse ǫngull; Greek ankýlos “bent, curved,” Sanskrit aṅkuśá- “hook, fishhook”; akin to Old English anga “a sting,” Old High German ango, Latin uncus “hook, barb,” Greek ónkos “hook, barb of an arrow”; the verb is derivative of the noun; relation, if any, to Latin angulus angle 1 not clear
Origin of Angle3
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin Anglus (plural Anglī ) source of Old English Engle (plural) “the English,” variant of Engle, the name of a tribe that lived in modern-day Angeln (so named from its shape), in Schleswig; akin to angle 1; see English ( def. )
Explanation
Remember all those pesky geometry classes in high school? Then you'll remember measuring the angle or space between two intersecting lines in degrees. If you recall that a right angle measures ninety degrees, give yourself a bonus. Angle can also mean a biased way of looking at or presenting something. Talk radio stations, for example, often discuss current events with a "political angle." On a far more peaceful note, to angle also means simply to fish, both in the literal sense of trying to catch a fish on a hook or in the metaphorical sense of trying to subtly obtain something without being seen to do so directly, as in, "I'm going to angle for a promotion at work."
Vocabulary lists containing angle
Middle School Geometry, List 1
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The ACT Math Test: Geometry, List 1
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Engineering - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That the VAR was only able to present one camera angle to the referee highlighted the limitations.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
RO: I'll go back to the original angle.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
A different trio of companies, all with an artificial intelligence angle, are set to begin trading next week.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
“May does have a higher sun angle than we did in March so that can be part of the heat and UV rays,” he added.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Burry had his own angle on this same subject, derived from the time he’d spent in medicine.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
