# angel

/ˈeɪndʒəɫ/ (US) · /ˈeɪndʒəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/angel
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. a kind person

noun · CEFR B1

a person who is very kind, helpful, or beautiful.

For teachers: a person who manifests exceptional goodness, purity, or selfless kindness.

- You are an absolute angel for helping me move house all weekend.
- The nurses were described as angels by the patients for their tireless dedication during the long night shifts at the clinic.

### 3. financial backer

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person who gives their own money to help a new business or a theater show start.

For teachers: a private investor who provides capital for a business start-up or a theatrical production, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity.

- The startup survived its first year thanks to a generous angel investor.
- Without the support of a wealthy angel, the experimental play would never have secured a venue in the West End.

### 4. altitude unit

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

a word used by pilots to talk about height, where one 'angel' means one thousand feet.

For teachers: a radio code word used in aviation to indicate altitude in thousands of feet.

- The pilot reported that he was flying at angels fifteen.
- During the tactical exercise, the squadron leader commanded the jets to maintain angels twenty to avoid detection by ground-based radar.

Usage: Always followed by a number; 'angels ten' means 10,000 feet.

### 5. to fund

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to support a project or person by giving them money.

For teachers: to act as a financial backer for a project, particularly in the arts or business.

- He decided to angel the new restaurant because he loved the chef's food.
- Several tech veterans offered to angel the project, providing not just capital but also strategic mentorship to the young founders.

## Examples

- She was an absolute angel for helping me move house.
- The charity relies on a few anonymous angels who provide the necessary funding to keep the shelter open every winter.
- While the cathedral's architecture is famous for its towering spires, the intricate stone carvings of angels above the portal represent the pinnacle of medieval craftsmanship in the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.