Meaning & use
angle
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Meanings
nouncountablemathematics
The amount of turn between two lines or surfaces that meet at a point, usually measured in degrees.
Grammar: Often used with at: at an angle of 45 degrees.
Patterns
- at an angle
- the angle between two things
The ladder leans against the wall at a steep angle.
Draw a right angle in the corner of the page.
What is the angle between the two roads?
nouncountablefigurative
A particular way of looking at a subject, or the approach someone takes when presenting a story or idea.
Grammar: Often used with new or different: a fresh angle.
Patterns
- from an angle
- a new angle on something
The reporter looked for a human angle on the budget story.
Try approaching the problem from another angle.
nouncountable
The position from which something is viewed or photographed, which changes how it looks.
Grammar: Often used in photography and filming.
Patterns
- from this angle
- a low angle
The statue looks taller from this angle.
The photographer tried several angles before choosing one.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To place or turn something so that it slopes or points in a direction that is not straight.
Grammar: Can take an object: angle the lamp; or have none: the road angles left.
Patterns
- angle something toward something
- angle away
She angled the mirror to catch the morning light.
The path angles sharply to the left after the bridge.
verbintransitiveinformal
To try to get something indirectly, by hinting rather than asking openly.
Grammar: Used with for: angle for an invitation.
Patterns
- angle for something
He kept angling for an invitation to the party.
She was clearly angling for a promotion.
Word forms
| plural | angles |
|---|---|
| third person singular | angles |
| past tense | angled |
| past participle | angled |
| -ing form | angling |
Common combinations
- right angle
- A square has four right angles.
- acute angle
- An acute angle is smaller than 90 degrees.
- at an angle
- The picture hung at an angle on the wall.
- from every angle
- The lawyers studied the case from every angle.
- camera angle
- The director chose a low camera angle.
Synonyms and how they differ
- corner
- Corner is the physical point where two edges meet, while angle is the amount of opening between them.
- perspective
- Perspective means a point of view or way of understanding, and is broader than the news-style angle.
- slant
- Slant often suggests bias in presenting a story, whereas angle can be a neutral approach.
- viewpoint
- Viewpoint stresses a person's opinion or position, while angle can mean a position in space.
Word family
Commonly confused: angle or angel?
angle vs angel
Angel is a spiritual being and is pronounced with a long a, as /ˈeɪndʒəl/. Angle ends in -gle and has a short a sound.
Practice
A triangle has three sides and three ___.
Choose one answer.
Angles are the corners measured in degrees. Angels are spiritual beings, and angled and angular are adjectives that would not follow 'three'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “angle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.