angel
noun
an·gel ˈān-jəl 
plural angels
1
a
religion : 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 see also guardian angel
b
angels plural, religion : an order of angels see celestial hierarchy
c(1)
: an attendant usually benevolent spirit or guardian —often used without implication of belief in its supernatural character
"A putting angel must have come to me during the night because I felt great today and every putt I hit was a great putt," he [Paul McGinley] said.
Nelson Clare
Nelson Clare (2)
: the part of a person's character or nature that is said to guide the person's thoughts and behavior
… here was [Lyndon] Johnson charging straight at a problem, telling his fellow citizens an ugly truth about themselves while trying to invoke the better angels of their nature. Kevin Baker
Kevin Baker[Lamar] Alexander concluded: "In his first inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln appealed to the better angels of our nature. If there are better angels of our nature, I guess that means there must be worse angels in us as well. …" Congressional Documents and Publications
Congressional Documents and Publications2
: a usually white-robed winged figure of human form in fine art see also snow angel
3
: messenger, harbinger
an angel of death
The dear good angel of the Spring, / The nightingale. Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson4
: a person who is like an angel (as in looks or behavior)
Your toddler is such an angel.
Be an angel and get me a cup of tea, would you?
Childs is no angel either, and that gives his book its drama. George Johnson
George Johnson5
Christian Science : inspiration from God
6
: one who aids or supports with money or influence
Angels are considered one of the oldest sources of capital for start-up entrepreneurs; the term itself, by most accounts, comes from the affluent patrons who used to finance Broadway plays in the early twentieth century. Colleen Debaise
Colleen DebaiseTypically, angel investors put up anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 to back a young start-up, and can fund as many as 10 companies at any given time. Michael B. Farrell
Michael B. Farrell7
: angelfish
Synonyms
- dove
- innocent
- lamb
- sheep
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Mac Miller's Mother Miller's mother, Karen Meyers, posted this sweet mother-son photo one month after his death and captioned it with an angel emoji. Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 Yet, despite the roll bar blocking access to the back, there were four personalities along for the ride: Gilles, me, and the angel/devil battle taking place on my shoulders. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2022 Logan Bushman, who graduated from BYU in the spring as an openly gay student, pulled together the angel costumes. Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 That’s more than double the size of other accelerator programs, and more than the standard angel investment for most pre-seed startups. WIRED, 4 Sep. 2022 The label on the Gonzales' wine features the name in script writing connecting to an angel wing, another homage to Linda. Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2022 That birthmark on his forehead always seemed to be some symbol of mystical significance, as if an angel had bopped him in the womb. Thomas Geoghegan, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Especially hard to swallow is the seemingly overnight transformation of the musical’s heavy, Mister — wonderfully sung by Torrey Linder — from abusive monster to reformed angel. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Snoop Dogg, the rapper/actor/cannabis entrepreneur/crypto enthusiast/angel investor and so much more, is launching his own breakfast cereal, dubbed Snoop Loopz. Chris Morris, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2022 See More
Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 Yet, despite the roll bar blocking access to the back, there were four personalities along for the ride: Gilles, me, and the angel/devil battle taking place on my shoulders. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2022 Logan Bushman, who graduated from BYU in the spring as an openly gay student, pulled together the angel costumes. Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 That’s more than double the size of other accelerator programs, and more than the standard angel investment for most pre-seed startups. WIRED, 4 Sep. 2022 The label on the Gonzales' wine features the name in script writing connecting to an angel wing, another homage to Linda. Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2022 That birthmark on his forehead always seemed to be some symbol of mystical significance, as if an angel had bopped him in the womb. Thomas Geoghegan, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Especially hard to swallow is the seemingly overnight transformation of the musical’s heavy, Mister — wonderfully sung by Torrey Linder — from abusive monster to reformed angel. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Snoop Dogg, the rapper/actor/cannabis entrepreneur/crypto enthusiast/angel investor and so much more, is launching his own breakfast cereal, dubbed Snoop Loopz. Chris Morris, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English engel & Anglo-French angele; both from Late Latin angelus, from Greek angelos, literally, messenger
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing angel
Kids Definition
angel
noun
an·gel ˈān-jəl
1
: a spiritual being serving God especially as a messenger
2
: a person who is very good, kind, or beautiful
angel
noun
1
as in innocent
an innocent or gentle person would like to think that her child is a perfect angel Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- innocent
- sheep
- saint
- lamb
- colt
- dove
- virgin
- cherub
- babe
- sucker
- cub
- fledgling
- newbie
- naïf
- ingenue
- pigeon
- ingénue
- greenhorn
- tenderfoot
- naif
- softy
- softie
- weakling
- wimp
- dupe
- sap
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- wolf
- tough
- beast
- heel
- clown
- devil
- bully
- snake
- jerk
- creep
- rowdy
- cur
- roughneck
- shark
- skunk
- louse
- joker
- cad
- cretin
- boor
- villain
- slob
- lout
- rascal
- churl
- rogue
- stinker
- scoundrel
- knave
- miscreant
- reprobate
- scamp
- rapscallion
- varlet
- scalawag
- scallywag
- no-good
2
as in herald
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another looking forward to seeing those red-breasted angels of the spring—robins Synonyms & Similar Words
- herald
- sign
- forerunner
- precursor
- harbinger
- messenger
- outrider
- symptom
- foregoer
- courier
- omen
- advertiser
- announcer
- foretaste
- crier
- forewarning
- foreshadowing
- runner
- foreshadower
- proclaimer
- augury
- portent
- boding
- blazoner
- foreboding
- foreboder
- prefiguring
- auspice
- presage
- bellwether
- mark
3
as in donor
one that helps another with gifts or money over the years the industrialist frequently served as the symphony orchestra's anonymous angel Synonyms & Similar Words
- donor
- donator
- benefactor
- patron
- fairy godmother
- sugar daddy
- contributor
- benefactress
- helper
- savior
- almoner
- patroness
- philanthropist
- protector
- supporter
- giver
- altruist
- bestower
- subscriber
- almsgiver
- guardian angel
- saviour
- Maecenas
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- recipient
- beneficiary
- donee
- giftee