Angel

/'eindʤəl/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
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