angular

/ˈæŋɡjələ(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæŋɡjələr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈaŋ-gyə-lər/ (ame, mw)

angular — 形容詞

  • angularpositive
  • more angularcomparative
  • most angularsuperlative

1. connected with angles as a concept in geometry and related fields — for example,

1.形容詞B2
釋義

角度的

與角度有關的

connected with angles as a concept in geometry and related fields — for example, describing how far apart two stars appear from Earth, or how fast a wheel spins around its centre.

例句

During geometry class, students calculated the angular distance between two points on a circle.

幾何課上，學生計算了圓上兩點之間的角距離。

collocation: angular distance

The astronomer used a telescope to measure the angular separation of the two stars.

天文學家用望遠鏡測量那兩顆恆星之間的角分離度。

collocation: angular separation

同義詞
  • angled

    less technical; describes objects positioned at an angle rather than the mathematical concept itself

  • inclined

    focuses on a sloping or leaning position rather than a measured angle

常見錯誤

❌The angular distance between the two buildings is about 50 meters.
✅The straight-line distance between the two buildings is about 50 meters.
💡Angular distance is measured in degrees or radians, not in metres or feet.

2. having a shape with clear straight edges and pointed corners rather than curves

2.形容詞B1
釋義

有稜角的

形狀有明顯尖角和直邊的

having a shape with clear straight edges and pointed corners rather than curves — used for buildings, furniture, designs, and natural objects that stand out because of their geometric outline.

例句

The new office building has an angular design with sharp glass edges and metal beams.

那棟新辦公大樓採用有稜角的設計，搭配銳利的玻璃邊緣和金屬橫梁。

collocation: angular design

The designer chose angular furniture with straight lines instead of round shapes.

設計師偏愛有稜角的家具，線條筆直而非圓潤。

collocation: angular furniture

同義詞
  • sharp-cornered

    more literal and less elegant; describes physical objects with clear corners

  • jagged

    describes uneven, rough, or broken edges, not clean geometric shapes

  • geometric

    broader term covering all geometric forms, not specifically sharp or angled

反義詞
  • rounded

    having smooth, curved edges without sharp points

  • curved

    bending smoothly without any angles or corners

用法筆記

This is the most frequent meaning of 'angular' in everyday English — the pure geometry sense (Sense 1) is largely limited to mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. The thin-appearance sense (Sense 3) is also common but mainly in descriptions of faces or bodies after illness, hunger, or old age. Sense 2 contrasts with 'curved' or 'rounded' and appears often in design, architecture, and visual descriptions of objects.

常見錯誤

❌She has an angular personality.
✅She has a sharp personality.
💡'Angular' is not used for personality traits in modern English, despite what some older dictionaries list.

3. extremely thin, with bones sticking out visibly under the skin — used to describ

3.形容詞B2
釋義

瘦削的

瘦到骨頭清晰可見的

extremely thin, with bones sticking out visibly under the skin — used to describe a person's face or body, often as a result of illness, hunger, or old age.

例句

After the long illness, the old woman's angular shoulders were visible through her hospital gown.

久病之後，老婦人瘦削的肩膀在病袍下清晰可見。

collocation: angular shoulders

The rescued dog had an angular frame with every rib showing through its matted fur.

那隻獲救的狗骨瘦如柴，每一根肋骨都從糾結的毛皮下顯露出來。

collocation: angular frame

同義詞
  • gaunt

    suggests an unhealthy or exhausted thinness, with stronger negative feeling

  • bony

    more direct and informal; can sound either clinical or unkind

  • lean

    positive or neutral; describes a healthy thin body with visible muscle

反義詞
  • plump

    pleasantly rounded or full in shape

  • full-faced

    having a round, soft face without prominent bones

用法筆記

⚠️ Sensitivity caution: describing someone as having 'an angular face' or 'angular features' can be neutral or even positive in fashion or artistic contexts (suggesting high cheekbones or a defined jawline). However, describing someone's whole body as 'angular' may be perceived as a negative comment on their thinness. It is safest to use this sense when the cause is clear (illness, hunger, old age) or in neutral descriptions of facial bone structure. Avoid using it as a casual remark about someone's weight.

常見錯誤

❌She looks angular in that dress.
✅She looks thin in that dress.
💡Using 'angular' to comment on someone's weight or appearance in clothing can sound hurtful; choose a more neutral or kind word.