Angel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈān-jəl/ an·gel

Meaning & Definition of Angel

Angel (noun)

  1. a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially, one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchy
  2. an order of angels
  3. an attendant usually benevolent spirit or guardian —often used without implication of belief in its supernatural character

Angel (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an innocent or gentle person

    "would like to think that her child is a perfect angel"

    similar: dove, innocent, lamb, sheep
    related: babe, colt, cub, fledgling, greenhorn, ingenue, naïf, newbie, tenderfoot, virgin, cherub, saint, softy, weakling, wimp, dupe, pigeon, sap, sucker
    opposite: wolf
    near: bully, roughneck, rowdy, tough, beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, heel, jerk, joker, louse, lout, slob, shark, skunk, snake, stinker, devil, knave, miscreant, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scalawag, scamp, scoundrel, varlet, villain

  2. one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another

    "looking forward to seeing those red-breasted angels of the spring—robins"

    similar: foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, outrider, precursor
    related: foreboder, foreshadower, foretaste, forewarning, advertiser, announcer, blazoner, crier, proclaimer, courier, messenger, runner, augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, foreshadowing, omen, portent, prefiguring, presage, mark, sign, symptom, bellwether

  3. one that helps another with gifts or money

    "over the years the industrialist frequently served as the symphony orchestra's anonymous angel"

    similar: benefactor, donator, donor, fairy godmother, Maecenas, patron, sugar daddy
    related: benefactress, patroness, almoner, almsgiver, philanthropist, altruist, bestower, contributor, giver, helper, subscriber, supporter, guardian angel, protector, savior
    near: beneficiary, donee, giftee, recipient

Related Entry: Guardian angel (noun)

Guardian angel is a different word from Angel. The synonyms below are for guardian angel, not for angel.

  1. someone that protects

    "his work with the pet rescue center has led many to hail him as a guardian angel and friend to all animals"

    similar: custodian, defender, guard, guardian, protection, protector
    related: bodyguard, champion, lookout, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watchdog, watchman, conserver, harborer, keeper, preserver, saver

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Angel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Angel:

dove, innocent, lamb, sheep, foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, outrider, precursor, benefactor, donator, donor, fairy godmother, Maecenas, patron, sugar daddy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Angel

Words with the opposite meaning of Angel:

wolf

Related Words for Angel

babe, colt, cub, fledgling, greenhorn, ingenue, naïf, newbie, tenderfoot, virgin, cherub, saint, softy, weakling, wimp, dupe, pigeon, sap, sucker, foreboder, foreshadower, foretaste, forewarning, advertiser, announcer, blazoner, crier, proclaimer, courier, messenger

Near Antonyms of Angel

bully, roughneck, rowdy, tough, beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, heel, jerk, joker, louse, lout, slob, shark, skunk, snake, stinker, devil, knave, miscreant, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue

Word Forms of Angel

Inflections: angels

Origin & Etymology of Angel

Middle English, from Old English engel & Anglo-French angele; both from Late Latin angelus, from Greek angelos, literally, messenger

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Angel

  • Topics: Religion & Beliefs

Words & Phrases Containing Angel

angel dust, angel food cake, angel-hair pasta, destroying angel, guardian angel, snow angel

Frequently Asked Questions about Angel

What does "Angel" mean?

"Angel" means a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially, one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchy. As a noun, it is defined as: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially, one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchy. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Angel"?

Other words for "Angel" include dove, innocent, lamb, sheep, foregoer, forerunner, harbinger and herald. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Angel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Angel"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Angel". Common alternatives include dove, innocent, lamb, sheep, foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, outrider and precursor.

What is the opposite of "Angel"?

Antonyms of "Angel" include wolf. Near antonyms include bully, roughneck, rowdy and tough.

How do you use "Angel" in a sentence?

Examples of "Angel" in a sentence: "would like to think that her child is a perfect angel"; "looking forward to seeing those red-breasted angels of the spring—robins"; "over the years the industrialist frequently served as the symphony orchestra's anonymous angel".

Is "Angel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Angel" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Angel"?

"Angel" is pronounced /ˈān-jəl/ and divided into syllables as an·gel.

What is the origin of the word "Angel"?

"Angel" comes from Middle English, from Old English engel & Anglo-French angele; both from Late Latin angelus, from Greek angelos, literally, messenger. First known use: before 12th century.