ankle

American  

[ang-kuhl] / ˈæŋ kəl /

noun

1. (in humans) the joint between the foot and the leg, in which movement occurs in two planes.

2. the corresponding joint in a quadruped or bird; hock.

3. the slender part of the leg above the foot.

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ankle British  

/ ˈæŋkəl /

noun

1. the joint connecting the leg and the foot See talus 1

2. the part of the leg just above the foot

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Etymology

Origin of ankle

First recorded before 1000; partly from Middle English ankel, enkel, ankyl, cognate with Middle Low German, Dutch enkel, Old Frisian ankel, Old High German anchal, enchil, Old Norse ǫkkul (from unrecorded ankula); partly from Middle English anclowe, oncleou, Old English anclēow, onclēow, cognate with Middle Low German anclef, Dutch anklāw, Old High German anchlāo; akin to Latin angulus “corner, angle,” Greek ankúlos “bent, crooked,” and ankṓn “bend of the arm, elbow”

Example Sentences

"Tests carried out on Monday... confirmed that she suffered a fracture... of the fibula on the left ankle," Barcelona said in a statement.

From Barron's

There was also a pronounced buckle of Merino's ankle, which is something a VAR is looking for to indicate excessive force, and his boot was shifted back on the turf.

From BBC

Hemp has battled through an injury hit year in which she suffered a serious knee injury prior to Euro 2025 and an ankle issue harmed her start to this season.

From BBC

His quote that always stayed with me was "you're always either ankle deep, knee deep or up to your neck in the stuff!"

From BBC

Mason, now 18, was taken to hospital with a suspected broken femur, and his friend's mum suffered a broken ankle.

From BBC

Related Words

• bone