hell's angel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “hell's angel” mean?
A member of an organized motorcycle gang, specifically the 'Hells Angels' motorcycle club.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of an organized motorcycle gang, specifically the 'Hells Angels' motorcycle club.
A term sometimes used generally to refer to any member of a notorious or stereotypical outlaw biker gang, implying a rebellious, intimidating, or lawless persona.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference, but the cultural reference is more prevalent in American media due to the club's origins.
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of outlaw culture and menace in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the club's prominence in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “hell's angel” in a Sentence
[be/ become/ join] a hell's angelVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hell's angel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He had a certain hell's-angel attitude about him.
American English
- The bar had a real hell's-angel vibe that night.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used, only in sociological or criminological studies of subcultures.
Everyday
Used in conversation referencing news stories or stereotypes about bikers.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hell's angel”
- Spelling: 'Hell's Angels' vs. 'Hells Angels' (both common, club officially uses no apostrophe). Confusing a generic motorcycle enthusiast with a 'Hell's Angel'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring specifically to a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, it is a proper noun and should be capitalized. The generic use ('he looked like a hell's angel') is often lowercased.
No. 'Hell's Angel' refers specifically to members of the Hells Angels. Other clubs have different names (e.g., Outlaws, Bandidos). Using it generically is a stereotype.
Rarely. While members may view it positively as a sign of brotherhood, in general usage it carries overwhelmingly negative connotations of crime and intimidation.
It's a synonym originating from a statement by the American Motorcycle Association that 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding, implying clubs like the Hells Angels are the outlaw 1%.
A member of an organized motorcycle gang, specifically the 'Hells Angels' motorcycle club.
Hell's angel is usually informal, journalistic in register.
Hell's angel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhelz ˌeɪn.dʒəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛlz ˌeɪn.dʒəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ride with the angels (playful/ironic reference)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rebel with wings (angel) who rides a motorcycle straight from hell.
Conceptual Metaphor
REBELLION IS HELL / OUTLAW IS A FALLEN ANGEL
Practice
Quiz
What is the core meaning of 'a hell's angel'?