angler

noun

an·​gler ˈaŋ-glər 

plural anglers

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

After midnight Thursday, recreational and commercial spiny lobster anglers will have to wait a week before the regular eight-month season begins. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

In 2012 an angler pulled a brown bullhead out of a lake on the Vermont-Quebec border with what looked like tar smeared across its skin. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

The fish were illegally introduced in the 1970s, so the agency encourages anglers to pursue the game fish and keep their catches. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

In offshore saltwater fishing, tuna anglers routinely rip massive poppers across the surface, but many folks don’t realize this works in freshwater as well. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026

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

Rhymes for angler

• strangler

Kids Definition

angler

noun

an·​gler ˈaŋ-glər 

1

: a person who fishes with hook and line especially for pleasure

2

: anglerfish