angle
gb/ˈæŋɡəl/ us/ˈæŋɡəl/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
Space between two lines
The shape made where two lines or surfaces meet, measured in degrees.
Usage pattern:
an angle of [number] degrees
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'angle' with 'corner' when referring to geometric figures; 'angle' is the correct term in math.
Synonyms
corner (In geometry, 'corner' is informal and less precise; used more for everyday objects.)
Antonyms
straight line (A straight line has no angle because the lines do not meet at a turn.)
Collocations
right angle
|acute angle
|sharp angle
|wide angle
|angle measurement
Themes
math
|geometry
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The triangle has three equal angles.
- He drew a 90-degree angle on the paper.
- The roof slopes at a sharp angle.
- A right angle measures exactly 90 degrees.
Learner examples
- The book is at a right angle to the table.
- A square has four right angles.
- This angle is smaller than 90 degrees.
Noun
B1
relation
2
Particular point of view
A way of seeing or thinking about something.
Usage pattern:
from an angle of [viewpoint]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'angle' here with a physical geometric shape; in this sense, it is about viewpoint.
Synonyms
perspective ('Perspective' is more formal and often broader in meaning.)
Antonyms
blind spot (A blind spot is something you fail to see or consider.)
Collocations
camera angle
|different angle
|fresh angle
|political angle
Themes
photography
|communication
|media
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The photographer chose a low angle for the shot.
- Try to look at the problem from a different angle.
- The story was told from the victim’s angle.
Learner examples
- I saw the building from a new angle.
- The film shows the scene from many angles.
- We can talk about this from another angle.
Verb
B1
action
3
Position at a slant
To move or turn something so it is not straight but points in a direction.
Usage pattern:
to angle [something] toward [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'dangle', which means to hang loosely.
Synonyms
tilt ('Tilt' focuses more on leaning to one side, while 'angle' can include direction aiming.)
Antonyms
straighten (To make something not slanted or directed but straight.)
Collocations
angle the mirror
|angle the camera
|angle slightly
Themes
movement
|positioning
|space
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She angled the lamp toward the desk.
- The photographer angled the camera to capture more light.
- He angled his body toward the door.
Learner examples
- Please angle the fan toward me.
- He angled his head to hear better.
- I angled the chair to face the window.
Verb
B2
action
4
Seek indirectly or strategically
To try to get something by using hints or special methods instead of asking directly.
Usage pattern:
to angle for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this always relates to fishing; here it means trying to get something indirectly.
Synonyms
fish for ('Fish for' is informal and similar in meaning when seeking compliments or information.)
Antonyms
ask directly (To request something openly without indirect methods.)
Collocations
angle for attention
|angle for a promotion
|angle for praise
Themes
communication
|social
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s angling for a raise by taking on extra work.
- He angled for an invitation to the party.
- They were clearly angling for more favorable terms.
Learner examples
- She is angling for a job offer.
- He angled for help without asking directly.
- They are angling for more time to finish.
Verb
B2
action
5
Fish with hook and line
To try to catch fish with a fishing rod and hook for fun or sport.
Usage pattern:
to angle for [type of fish] in [place]
Common mistake:
Learners may not know this verb is mainly used in British English and in formal/written contexts.
Synonyms
fish ('Fish' is more general; 'angle' is more specific and formal for sport fishing.)
Antonyms
release fish (To let the fish go instead of catching it.)
Collocations
angle for trout
|angle in the river
Themes
sports
|outdoors
|animals
|nature
Examples
- They angled for salmon in the cold river.
- He spends weekends angling in the lake near his home.
- Many tourists come here to angle in summer.
Learner examples
- My father likes to angle in this river.
- They angled for big fish last weekend.
- He went to angle by the sea.
Grammar
Dictionary form
angle
IPA
GB/ˈæŋɡəl/
US/ˈæŋɡəl/
Syllables & stress
angle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (angle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: angle
- Plural: angles
Verb
- Base: angle
- 3rd Person Singular: angles
- Present Participle: angling
- Past: angled
Word family
Forms
angles
noun
angling
verb
angled
verb
Core family
angular
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
angularity
noun C1
Expressions
angle for something
1/ˈæŋɡəl fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Indirect attempt to get something
To try to get something by using hints or special actions instead of asking directly.
Examples
- He was angling for an invitation all evening.
- She angled for praise by showing her work early.
at an angle
1/ˈæt ən ˈæŋɡəl/
fixed phrase
Not straight position
Not straight; slanted compared to something else.
Examples
- The picture hung at an angle on the wall.
- She parked the car at an angle to the curb.
camera angle
1/kˈæmɚə ˈæŋɡəl/
fixed phrase
technical
Position of camera relative to subject
The place and direction where a camera is set to film or take a photo.
Examples
- Changing the camera angle improved the shot dramatically.
- Directors use different camera angles to create mood.
from every angle
1/fɹˈʌm ˈɛvɹi ˈæŋɡəl/
fixed phrase
All viewpoints considered
Looking at something in all possible ways or directions.
Examples
- The problem was examined from every angle before making a decision.
- The sculpture looks beautiful from every angle.