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

The study also revealed that Cooper pairs in this material behave as if they carry angular momentum, similar to a spinning object.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 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

Her technique, with its fierce movements and angular shapes, became a mainstay of American modern dance and remains part of the curriculum at many dance academies worldwide.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

The shape of him in my doorway and how seeing him there, rumpled and angular, almost never seemed out of place; it seemed as though he had come with the room.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• bony
• gaunt
• lanky
• rangy
• skinny