angelic

American  

[an-jel-ik] / ænˈdʒɛl ɪk /

Sometimes angelical

adjective

1. of or belonging to angels.

   the angelic host.

   Synonyms:

   cherubic, seraphic, beatific, saintly, celestial, ethereal

2. like or befitting an angel, especially in virtue, beauty, etc..

   angelic sweetness.

   Antonyms:

   diabolic, fiendish

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angelic British  

/ ænˈdʒɛlɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to angels

2. Also: angelical.  resembling an angel in beauty, purity, etc

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Usage

What does angelic mean? Angelic means having the qualities of an angel, such as by being beautiful, pure, or kind. It can also be used to describe things that relate to or involve angels, as in I had a dream about angelic beings. In some religions, angels are heavenly beings associated with qualities such as grace, beauty, and kindliness. They are sometimes thought of as perfect beings, and the word angel is often used in a figurative way to refer to a person with these qualities. Describing someone or something as angelic often implies that it has these qualities. Angelic can be used to describe a person, as in You look truly angelic in that dress or Some people are kind, but Ruth is simply angelic. It can also be used to describe things. For example, you might say that a child has an angelic face or that a talented singer has an angelic voice. The variant angelical means the same thing but is much less commonly used. Example: The angelic sound of harp is unlike that of any other instrument.

Other Word Forms

• angelically adverb
• angelicalness noun
• hyperangelic adjective
• hyperangelical adjective
• hyperangelically adverb
• nonangelic adjective
• pseudoangelic adjective
• pseudoangelical adjective
• pseudoangelically adverb
• quasi-angelic adjective
• quasi-angelically adverb
• superangelic adjective
• superangelically adverb

Etymology

Origin of angelic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English angelyk, from Late Latin angelicus, from Greek angelikós; equivalent to angel + -ic

Explanation

Many kids look angelic, meaning sweet and cherubic, when they’re asleep. Hard to believe that two hours earlier they were spitting milk at the babysitter and stuffing peas up their nose. The adjective angelic can describe anything related to angels or resembling an angel. It can refer to actual angels, as in an angelic choir, which is a bunch of singing angels. Or it can be used to describe someone or something that has the sweet and gentle qualities of an angel. If a choir sounds angelic, it’s a normal choir of people but their voices are so pure and beautiful that they sound like angels.

Example Sentences

These call her "so cute your heart stops," hype up her "angelic smile" as she hugs world leaders and feature her effortless "out-debating" of an opposition lawmaker.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

The concert is saved by the return of a wounded soldier who happens to be an angelic tenor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

“I could just hear their angelic voices in the mix while I’m brooding in a corner getting ready.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

He began to have visions of angelic souls from other dimensions visiting him with important messages for humanity.

From Salon • May 18, 2025

They beamed over at Flora, who was seated on a small stool by the fireplace now and looking angelic, her dark hair hanging in sweet ringlets.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• celestial
• ethereal
• heavenly
• lovely
• otherworldly
• radiant
• saintly
• virtuous