Angel is a two-syllable noun that refers to a supernatural being in various religious traditions, often depicted as a benevolent messenger. It can also describe a person or thing regarded as exceptionally kind or good, sometimes used metaphorically (e.g., an angel of the home). In everyday use, it carries a gentle, almost sacred connotation and appears in idioms and expressions.
US & AU accents are Premium
Unlock all accent variations
"- The archangel Michael is a prominent figure in Christian tradition."
"- She was an angel to us during a difficult week, helping with meals and rides."
"- "
"- He described the rescued dog as an angel after it survived the accident."
The word angel comes from the Old English angel, which itself derives from the Latin angelus, from the Greek angelos, meaning ‘messenger’ or ‘angel.’ The Greek term is fromangelos, composed of ani- ‘messenger’ and -gelos ‘propagator’ or ‘bringer.’ In earlier Semitic traditions, equivalent terms appear as mal’akh in Hebrew, often translated as ‘messenger’ with spiritual connotations. In Latin Christendom, angelus was used to denote heavenly beings who convey God’s messages. From Middle English onward, angel retained its dual meaning: a supernatural being and, in extended usage, a figurative ‘angel’ of mercy or benevolence. Over time, in modern English, angel also took on affectionate, even non-religious senses (e.g., “she’s an angel” for a kind person) while preserving its religious sense in theological and literary contexts. First known uses in English appear in translations of biblical texts and scholastic works that circulated in the 12th–14th centuries, with broader adoption in everyday speech by the 16th–18th centuries as literacy increased and religious language permeated common discourse.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "angel" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "angel" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "angel" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "angel"
-gel sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
US/UK/AU pronunciation centers on two syllables: AN-jəl. In IPA: US: /ˈeɪndʒəl/ or /ˈeɪndʒəl/ depending on speaker; UK: /ˈeɪndʒəl/; AU: /ˈeɪndʒəl/. The first syllable carries primary stress. The middle consonant cluster is /ndʒ/ as in 'end' plus the soft 'j' sound /dʒ/. The final syllable is a light, reduced /əl/. Mouth position: start with a mid-open front vowel [eɪ], crown lip rounded slightly toward a long vowel, then glide into a voiced postalveolar affricate /ndʒ/ followed by a schwa or reduced /ə/ before the dark-light /l/ at the end. Listen for a smooth transition rather than a hard stop.”,
Two common errors: 1) Misplacing the /ndʒ/ cluster, pronouncing it as /ndz/ or an /n/ + /j/ blend rather than the cohesive /ndʒ/. Correction: practice with the word ‘end’ and a soft /j/ to guide the /ndʒ/ blend in one continuous release. 2) Overemphasizing the final /l/ or pronouncing it as a dark velar /l/. Correction: keep the final /l/ light and almost syllabic, with minimal vowel before it. Finally ensure the first syllable receives primary stress; avoid flattening it to /ændʒəl/.”,
Across accents, the main variation is the vowel in the first syllable. US and UK typically have the diphthong /eɪ/ in the first syllable, yielding /ˈeɪndʒəl/. Australian English mirrors the /eɪ/ buzzy diphthong but with slight nasalization and a more centralized ending; some speakers may reduce the /ə/ to a near-schwa in rapid speech. The rhotic vs non-rhotic trait is not prominent in this word, but vowel quality and the timing of the /l/ can differ: US tends to have a clearer /l/; UK often has a lighter, less velarized /l/. In fast speech, the /ɡ/ may be very subtle or blend into /dʒ/.”,
The difficulty lies in the /ndʒ/ sequence: /n/ followed immediately by /dʒ/ is a cluster that can blur in rapid speech, causing /nd/ or /dʒ/ to dominate. Also, the final /əl/ can be reduced to a quick /əl/ or /l/ without clear vowel. Subtle vowel quality in the first syllable, especially for non-native speakers, makes the initial /eɪ/ challenging if the speaker tends toward monophthongs. Practicing the /ndʒ/ blend and keeping the final /l/ light are key. The word is short but phonemically dense for a two-syllable English word.”,
A distinctive question is: Is the /ɑ/ sound in angel ever heard in some dialects? In most dialects the first syllable is /eɪ/ or /eɪn/ with a long vowel; however, in some older or regional forms, you might encounter a slight raise or backness shift that can resemble /æ/ in very careful, aspirated contexts. In general modern usage, you’ll hear the /eɪ/ diphthong clearly, not a static /æ/. This nuance matters for SEO and targeted pronunciation guides because it shows subtle regional variation that can affect listener perception.”]},
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "angel"!
No related words found
