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

---

angelic British  

/ ænˈdʒɛlɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to angels

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

---

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

You don’t need fireworks or an angelic choir singing at first glance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The ceiling painting, signed by Meynier in 1822, depicts lauded French painters Nicolas Poussin, Eustache Le Sueur, and Charles Le Brun, who appear in the clouds among angelic figures.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

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

Cumming’s host persona may not be evil per se, but he is wicked enough for his beloved pooch, Lala, to look absolutely angelic trotting next to him.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

The width between his blue eyes gave him an expression of angelic innocence.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

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