noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ˈæŋ.ɡlə(ɹ)/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ˈæŋ.ɡlɚ/
rhymes with -æŋɡlə(ɹ)
CMU ARPABET:AE1 NG G L ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A person who fishes with a hook and line.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
A throng of anglers lined the trout stream on opening day of trout season.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An anglerfish, Lophius piscatorius.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The angler lured a smaller fish into reach with the appendage on its head.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Someone who tries to work an angle; a person who schemes or has an ulterior motive.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Jonas was a consummate angler when it came the company's leave policy; he had it figured so he only needed to work six months out of the year.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A thief who uses a hooked stick to steal goods out of shop-windows, grates, etc.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, archaic
Qualifier: thieves' cant
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
fishes having large mouths with a wormlike filament attached for luring prey
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: goosefish, anglerfish, angler fish, monkfish, lotte, allmouth, Lophius Americanus