angler

noun

an·​gler ˈaŋ-glər How to pronounce angler (audio)
plural anglers
Synonyms of anglernext
1
: a person who catches fish with a hook and fishing line : someone who angles (see angle entry 3 sense 1)
Catching striped bass isn't especially difficult for properly equipped anglers.—Buddy Mays
The hunt is on … for that special fish that will land some lucky angler in the record book.—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union News
2
: anglerfish
… contestants will be asked to cook a hot dish of angler or monkfish with vegetables for 15 diners; angler is a fish known for its unattractive appearance.—Estefany Maya

Examples of angler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mountain trips don’t have to be miserable for hunters or anglers who live at or near sea level. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026 What a hoot that was — eight Hall of Famers paired with professional anglers and competing for the biggest bass. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The 2022 state record was also caught off Hatteras, by an angler from New Jersey, according to Sport Fishing magazine. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 It’s been a big year for Idaho fishing records, and another angler just landed the biggest of them all. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for angler

Word History

Etymology

Middle English angler, angleer, from anglen "to angle entry 3" + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of angler was in the 15th century

Rhymes for angler

See All Rhymes for angler

Browse Nearby Words

anglepod
angler
angle rafter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Angler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angler. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

angler

noun
an·​gler ˈaŋ-glər How to pronounce angler (audio)
1
: a person who fishes with hook and line especially for pleasure
2
: anglerfish

More from Merriam-Webster on angler

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for angler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All