# Angelina

/ændʒɛˈɫinə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common female name that comes from the word for 'angel'.

For teachers: a female given name of Italian origin, serving as a diminutive of Angela.

- Angelina decided to study medicine after she finished high school.
- The protagonist, Angelina, navigates the complexities of early twentieth-century immigration in the novel's opening chapters.

### 2. person from Los Angeles

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Dialect

a woman who lives in or comes from the city of Los Angeles.

For teachers: a female resident or native of Los Angeles, California.

- As a proud Angelina, she knew all the best hidden spots for tacos in the city.
- The documentary features several prominent Angelinas discussing the cultural evolution of the West Coast art scene.

Teaching tip: The spelling 'Angelena' is more common for this specific meaning; 'Angeleno' is the standard gender-neutral term.

### 3. young traveler

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Slang

a very old slang word for a young or new person traveling without a home.

For teachers: a young or inexperienced hobo or itinerant traveler.

- The old man on the train called the boy an angelina because he was new to the road.
- In early twentieth-century rail-riding subcultures, an angelina was often dependent on more experienced travelers for survival.

Teaching tip: This sense is obsolete and found only in historical accounts of American itinerant life.

## Examples

- She looks like a total angelina in that dress.
- The magazine featured several angelinas on the cover, showcasing the latest fashion trends.

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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.