angular

American  

[ang-gyuh-ler] / ˈæŋ gyə lər /

Also angulose,

adjective

1. having an angle or angles.

2. consisting of, situated at, or forming an angle.

3. of, relating to, or measured by an angle.

4. Physics. pertaining to quantities related to a revolving body that are measured in reference to its axis of revolution.

5. bony, lean, or gaunt.

   a tall, angular man.

   Antonyms:

   rotund

6. acting or moving awkwardly.

   Antonyms:

   graceful

7. stiff in manner; unbending.

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angular British  

/ ˈæŋɡjʊlə /

adjective

1. lean or bony

2. awkward or stiff in manner or movement

3. having an angle or angles

4. placed at an angle

5. measured by an angle or by the rate at which an angle changes

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Other Word Forms

• angularly adverb
• angularness noun
• interangular adjective
• semiangular adjective
• subangular adjective
• subangularly adverb
• subangularness noun
• unangular adjective
• unangularly adverb
• unangularness noun

Etymology

Origin of angular

1590–1600; < Latin angulāris having corners or angles, equivalent to angul ( us ) angle ¹ + -āris -ar ¹

Explanation

Whether it’s a face with strikingly lean bone structure, a tall rectangular building, or something written in Arabic script, anything that is characterized by sharp angles can be described as angular. The word angular describes objects that have sharp angles, such as something with many corners and few soft curves. You’ll also hear it used to describe a person’s face or body. A tall, thin person with prominent bones can be described as angular. The word can be used figuratively to describe movements that are jerky and not smooth, such as the angular dance moves that go with a fast rock song.

Example Sentences

Although orbital angular momentum entanglement has been widely explored, it has often been considered fragile.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

The new wing was designed by Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas with Cooper Robertson, and has the geometric look of angular mesh enveloping an open stair case, elevator shafts and display spaces.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Generally speaking, it’s more angular, more acid, more morbid, more willing to let a protagonist stew in misery, more suspicious of sentiment than our comparatively genial homegrown brand.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

Everything was bright-blue and lit-up and sci-fi-future angular.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

He is as tall as Pa, with an angular body and cropped gray hair that sits straight on his head like dense jungle bushes.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Related Words

• bony
• gaunt
• lanky
• rangy
• skinny