angle

plural angles

1. geometryA figure formed by two rays which start from a common point (a plane angle) or by three planes that intersect (a solid angle).

   the angle between lines A and B

2. geometryThe measure of such a figure. In the case of a plane angle, this is the ratio (or proportional to the ratio) of the arc length to the radius of a section of a circle cut by the two rays, centered at their common point. In the case of a solid angle, this is the ratio of the surface area to the square of the radius of the section of a sphere.

   The angle between lines A and B is π/4 radians, or 45 degrees.

   1 more example

   The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.

   2013 July-August, Fenella Saunders, “Tiny Lenses See the Big Picture”, in American Scientist

3. A corner where two walls intersect.

   an angle of a building

4. A change in direction.

   The horse took off at an angle.

   Synonyms: swerve

5. A viewpoint; a physical position to observe something.
6. A point of view; a perspective of thought.

   Police had various angles to consider after securing the scene of Jodi’s disappearance.

   2026 August 10, Nicholas Muhoro, “Jodi Huisentruit, 27, Vanished From Her Apartment Parking Lot in 1995. Police Found Signs of a Struggle”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 11 Aug 2026

   2 more examples

   For example, if I was trying to repitch an idea to a producer who had already turned it down, I would say something like, "I remember you said you didn't like my idea because there was no women's angle. Well, here's a great one that both of us must have missed during our first conversation."

   2005, Adams Media, Adams Job Interview Almanac, page 299

   In his first book since the 2008 essay collection Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature, David Quammen looks at the natural world from yet another angle: the search for the next human pandemic, what epidemiologists call “the next big one.”

   2013 January 28, Katie L. Burke, “Ecological Dependency”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 1, page 64

7. mediaThe focus of a news story.
8. Any of various hesperiid butterflies.
9. slanggovernmentA storyline between two wrestlers, providing the background for and approach to a feud.
10. slangAn ulterior motive; a scheme or means of benefiting from a situation, usually hidden, often immoral.

    His angle is that he gets a percentage, but mostly in trade.

11. A projecting or sharp corner; an angular fragment.

    though but an angle reached him of the stone

    1717, John Dryden [et al.], “(please specify |book=I to XV)”, in Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

12. astrologyAny of the four cardinal points of an astrological chart: the Ascendant, the Midheaven, the Descendant and the Imum Coeli.

    Synonyms: -gon

present singular third person angles · participle present angling · participle past angled · past angled

1. transitiveoften in the passiveTo place (something) at an angle.

   The roof is angled at 15 degrees.

2. informalintransitiveTo change direction rapidly.

   The five ball angled off the nine ball but failed to reach the pocket.

3. informaltransitiveTo present or argue something in a particular way or from a particular viewpoint.

   How do you want to angle this when we talk to the client?

4. transitiveball gamesTo hamper (oneself or one's opponent) by leaving the cue ball in the jaws of a pocket such that the surround of the pocket (the "angle") blocks the path from cue ball to object ball.

plural angles

1. A fishhook; tackle for catching fish, consisting of a line, hook, and bait, with or without a rod.

   A fisher next his trembling angle bears.

   1717, Alexander Pope, Vertuminus and Pomona

   1 more example

   Give me mine angle: we'll to the river there.

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v]

present singular third person angles · participle present angling · participle past angled · past angled

1. intransitiveTo try to catch fish with a hook and line.
2. figurativelyinformalTo attempt to subtly persuade someone to offer a desired thing.

   He must be angling for a pay rise.

plural Angles

1. historicalA member of a Germanic tribe first mentioned by Tacitus, one of several which invaded Britain and merged to become the Anglo-Saxons; an Anglian.