angel
angel — noun
1. in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and several other faiths, a holy being who live
in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and several other faiths, a holy being who lives with God in heaven and travels down to earth to deliver messages or watch over people; in pictures, an angel usually wears white robes, has large feathered wings, and a glowing ring above the head.
On the church wall, an angel knelt beside the shepherds and pointed to the bright star above Bethlehem.
religious-narrative use with named scene
Mira's grandmother told her that an angel watches over every child while they sleep.
collocation: an angel watches over
The little girl drew an angel with golden wings and a long white dress.
In the painting, two angels carry a crown of stars across a dark blue sky.
Some Muslims believe an angel called Jibreel brought God's words to the prophet Muhammad.
用法筆記
Frequently used with the article 'an' rather than 'the' when first mentioned. Often appears with verbs like 'appear', 'watch over', 'guard', 'send', and with descriptive adjectives such as 'guardian', 'fallen', 'heavenly'.
常見錯誤
2. someone whose thoughtfulness, generosity, or good behaviour stands out clearly —
someone whose thoughtfulness, generosity, or good behaviour stands out clearly — for example a nurse who stays late with frightened patients, a friend who drives you home in a storm, or a child who plays quietly without being asked.
The nurse who sat with my father all night was an absolute angel.
intensifier: 'an absolute angel'
Mr. Park has been an angel to the new families on our street.
pattern: be an angel to [someone]
The twins were little angels at their cousin's wedding and didn't cry once.
Lucia is an angel — she walks her elderly neighbor's dog every morning before school.
用法筆記
Very often appears with intensifiers ('an absolute angel', 'a real angel') or in the plural 'little angels' for children. Distinguish from sense 1 by context: this sense is praise for a real person's behaviour, with no religious meaning.
常見錯誤
3. a warm name you call a partner, child, or close friend, usually when you are ple
a warm name you call a partner, child, or close friend, usually when you are pleased with them or asking a small favour — similar to calling someone 'darling' or 'sweetheart'.
Be an angel and pass me the salt, would you?
formula: 'be an angel and …' for polite requests
Goodnight, my angel — sleep tight and don't worry about tomorrow.
vocative use with possessive 'my'
Thank you, angel, the soup is exactly what I needed.
You're a star, angel — I couldn't have finished the report without your help.
- darling
the most common everyday equivalent across British and American English
- sweetheart
warm and slightly old-fashioned; common between partners and to children
- love
British English; widely used to friends, family, and even strangers in some regions
文法句型
used as form of address
用法筆記
Only sense used as a vocative (a name you call someone directly). Often paired with the possessive 'my' or stand-alone in a comma-set phrase. The fixed expression 'be an angel and …' softens a request.
常見錯誤
4. a wealthy individual who puts their own money into a young business — usually at
a wealthy individual who puts their own money into a young business — usually at an early stage, in exchange for a share of the company — to help it grow before bigger investors get involved.
A retired tech executive became the angel behind Farouk's coffee delivery startup.
pattern: an angel behind [a startup]
The two founders pitched their app to twelve angels before one wrote a cheque.
plural use in business context
Most angels in our city expect a clear plan and a working product, not just an idea on paper.
Without an angel, the small biotech firm would not have survived its first winter.
Angela funded three local startups last year and now sits on each board as their angel.
- backer
broader; anyone giving money or support, not only at an early stage
- patron
older word, more common in arts and charity than tech
- seed investor
very close in meaning; emphasises the earliest funding round
- venture capitalist
professional investor managing other people's money in a fund, usually at a later stage
用法筆記
Almost always written 'angel investor' in formal articles; 'angel' alone is used once the topic is clear. Subject is usually a private individual, not a fund or company — that is the key contrast with 'venture capitalist'.