angle
angle — noun
1. the shape that two lines make where they meet, such as the corner of a triangle,
the shape that two lines make where they meet, such as the corner of a triangle, normally given as a number of degrees from 0 to 360.
Mr. Lin asked the children to measure each angle inside the triangle.
common collocation: measure an angle
The roof joins the wall at an angle of ninety degrees.
pattern: at an angle of [number] degrees
Sunlight hit the window at a sharp angle and made Priya squint.
Sofia checked that every angle of her paper square measured exactly ninety degrees.
Gita drew two lines on the page and marked the angle between them.
- corner
everyday word for the same shape, but used for objects rather than abstract geometry
文法句型
angle of [number] degrees
at an angle of
用法筆記
Often paired with measurement verbs (measure, calculate, mark) and with 'between' to name the two lines or surfaces involved.
常見錯誤
2. a direction that tilts to one side instead of standing straight up or lying perf
a direction that tilts to one side instead of standing straight up or lying perfectly flat.
The painting hung at an odd angle until Yuki straightened it.
fixed phrase: at an [adjective] angle
Heavy rain fell at a steep angle across the school playground.
The old fence was leaning at a slight angle towards the road.
Mia tilted her head at an angle to listen for the kitten under the bed.
文法句型
at an angle
at an angle to [something]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the phrase 'at an angle' (often modified by slight, sharp, steep, odd). Distinguish from sense 1: here we describe the direction of a single object, not the shape between two lines.
常見錯誤
3. the part where two straight sides of a solid object meet, for example on the edg
the part where two straight sides of a solid object meet, for example on the edge of a desk or the outside of a wall.
Hugo bumped his knee on the angle of the kitchen table.
the angle of [object]
Aunt Rosa wiped dust from the sharp angle of the bookshelf near the door.
Workers padded the sharp angles of the desks before the children arrived.
Pepper the cat was curled up in the angle where the bedroom walls met.
文法句型
the angle of [object]
用法筆記
More physical and concrete than sense 1. 'Corner' is the everyday word; 'angle' here sounds slightly more formal or descriptive, common in writing about architecture or design.
4. the spot or direction that a person, camera, or light is pointing at something f
the spot or direction that a person, camera, or light is pointing at something from.
From this angle, the mountain looks much taller than it really is.
fixed phrase: from [this/that/a different] angle
The photographer crouched low to shoot the bride from a flattering angle.
Try moving the lamp so the light hits the painting from a softer angle.
From the angle of the back row, the actor's face was hard to see.
- viewpoint
can be physical or mental; this sense is mostly physical
- perspective
more often used for the mental sense; sometimes overlaps
文法句型
from [a/this/that] angle
from the angle of
用法筆記
Strongly associated with photography, film, and visual description. The default preposition is 'from'. Distinguish from sense 5: this sense is about physical viewing position; sense 5 is about mental viewpoint.
常見錯誤
5. a particular aspect or focus you pick when thinking, writing, or reporting on a
a particular aspect or focus you pick when thinking, writing, or reporting on a topic.
Reporter Anna Pham wanted a fresh angle on the local election story.
angle on [topic]
Try looking at the math problem from a different angle and see what changes.
from a different angle
The lawyer's angle was that the witness had a reason to lie.
Coach Davis approached the loss from a positive angle to keep the team going.
- approach
broader; covers method as well as viewpoint
- perspective
more about overall outlook; 'angle' suggests a sharper, narrower focus
- slant
often hints at bias; 'angle' can be neutral
文法句型
angle on [topic]
look at [something] from a different angle
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: this sense is about mental approach, not physical position. Often used in journalism, business, and problem-solving contexts to mean a chosen focus or strategy.
常見錯誤
angle — verb
1. to point, place, or move something so that it leans to one side rather than stan
to point, place, or move something so that it leans to one side rather than standing straight up or lying flat.
Lena angled the desk lamp towards her notebook so she could read better.
transitive: angle [object] towards [target]
The driver angled the truck slowly into the narrow parking space.
Heavy snow angled across the street and stuck to every window.
Mira angled the mirror upward to check the top shelf.
- level
to make horizontal rather than tilted
文法句型
angle [something] towards/away from
angle across/up/down
用法筆記
Frequently followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase showing direction (towards, away from, across, up, down). Without a direction phrase, it often sounds incomplete.
常見錯誤
2. to shape news, advertising, or other information so that it appeals to one chose
to shape news, advertising, or other information so that it appeals to one chosen group of people.
The magazine angles its travel articles at young families on a small budget.
active: angle [content] at [audience]
The new cereal advert is clearly angled at children watching morning cartoons.
passive: be angled at [audience]
Editor Ravi asked the team to angle the story towards first-time voters.
The campaign was angled at workers worried about losing their jobs.
文法句型
angle [something] at [audience]
be angled at [audience]
用法筆記
Often passive ('be angled at / towards'). Common in journalism, marketing, and publishing. Distinguish from verb sense 1: that sense is about physical tilting; this sense is about choosing a target audience.