Definition

1. Noun:
   • A spiritual being attendant upon God: In many religions and belief systems, an angel is a supernatural, benevolent being who acts as a messenger or servant of God or the divine.
   • A person of exceptional holiness or goodness: A human being who is exceptionally kind, pure, or selfless.
   • A person who invests in a theatrical production: A financial backer for a play, musical, or other stage production.
   • (Capitalized, in geology) Angel Falls: The highest waterfall in the world, located in Venezuela. (Note: This is a proper noun usage).

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Spiritual Being):
  • The painting depicted an angel with white wings.
  • Many believe a guardian angel watches over them.
• Noun (Person of Goodness):
  • She was an absolute angel, helping me through that difficult time.
  • Thank you for watching the kids; you're an angel!
• Noun (Financial Backer):
  • The struggling play was saved by a wealthy angel who believed in the script.
  • Without an angel, the new musical would never have made it to Broadway.

Advanced Usage

• "To entertain an angel unawares": To be kind to a stranger without realizing they are important or special. This phrase originates from the biblical idea of showing hospitality to strangers, as they might be angels in disguise.
  • By helping the lost traveler, he felt he might have been entertaining an angel unawares.

Variants and Related Words

• Angelic (adj): Resembling or characteristic of an angel, especially in purity, beauty, or kindness.
  • She had an angelic smile.
• Angelically (adv): In an angelic manner.
  • The choir sang angelically.

Synonyms

• Cherub: Often used for a type of angel depicted as a chubby child.
• Seraph: A high-ranking angel in some traditions.
• Archangel: A chief or principal angel (e.g., Michael, Gabriel).
• Patron: A synonym in the financial sense (backer, supporter).
• Saint: A synonym in the sense of a very good or holy person.

Related Phrases

• Guardian angel: A spirit believed to protect and guide a particular person.
  • I feel like my guardian angel was looking out for me during the accident.
• Fallen angel: An angel who has been cast out of heaven for rebelling against God; metaphorically, a person who was once good but has become corrupt.
  • The CEO was considered a fallen angel after the corporate scandal.

Related Idioms

• On the side of the angels: Supporting the morally right or good side in a conflict.
  • In that debate, I believe the environmentalists are on the side of the angels.
• Like an angel: Behaving very well or performing beautifully.
  • The baby slept like an angel all night.
  • She plays the violin like an angel.

Noun

1. the highest waterfall; has more than one leap; flow varies seasonally
2. invests in a theatrical production
3. person of exceptional holiness
4. spiritual being attendant upon God