bangle
Americannoun
-
bangles
plural
noun
-
a bracelet, usually without a clasp, often worn high up round the arm or sometimes round the ankle
-
a disc or charm hanging from a bracelet, necklace, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of bangle
1780–90; < Hindi banglī, variant of bangrī glass ring, armlet
Explanation
A bangle is an inflexible but loose-fitting bracelet, worn alone or with many other bangles, on your wrist. Bollywood dancers are often outfitted with many gold bangles. A bangle is generally made out of some hard material like gold, silver, wood, plastic, or ivory. In most parts of South Asia, bangles are very commonly worn by women — there are special bangles that a bride, for example, traditionally wears at her wedding. In Hinduism, it's actually considered bad luck for a bride not to wear bangles. The root of bangle is the Hindi word bangri, "colored glass bracelet or anklet."
Vocabulary lists containing bangle
The Skin I'm In
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Bridge Home
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Night Diary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Other gold objects found at the site include beads, bangle bracelets, and animal figurines.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
Çedouze’s signature look: oversized workwear, hoodies, T-shirts and tank tops accentuated with large silver grommets the size of a bangle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2022
“No Normal” does underscore how Kamala has been changing, though — evolving and growing more and more capable of taking on the increasingly dangerous challenges that come with wearing her family’s bangle.
From The Verge ● Jul. 14, 2022
The show tells the story of Khan, played by Pakistani Canadian actor Iman Vellani, getting her powers from a magical bangle that allows her to walk on air and conjure glowing light shields.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 12, 2022
“I’ll earn enough money to buy another bangle soon.”
From "Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins
Silva wore a long sequined gold dress with a halter neckline paired with bangles and gold pumps.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
The next day, as devotees cry in mourning for his death, the thread and their wrist bangles are cut.
From Barron's ● May 3, 2026
On Tuesday, people were shopped as usual at various markets, with women buying bangles, jewelry and clothes for themselves and their children.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 9, 2024
“I’m just as happy to wear bangles that cost me three dollars as I am to wear valuable pieces,” she wrote in her book, “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2024
Her arms and legs were weighted down with gold bangles.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
