Angelic

Angelic is an adjective relating to angels, the celestial beings found in many monotheistic religions, or to qualities traditionally ascribed to them such as purity, benevolence, or beauty. In everyday English, the term is often used metaphorically to describe people, voices, or actions perceived as gentle, innocent, or serene.

Etymology and usage have shaped the term over time. The word derives from Latin angelicus, from Greek aggelikos, meaning "of an angel" or "messenger," with early English usage influenced by Latin translations of biblical texts. Since the Middle Ages, angelic has retained religious associations while also expanding to secular contexts to describe exemplary or sublime qualities.

Religious contexts commonly associated with angelic imagery include Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In Christian thought, angels are celestial messengers and servants of God; angelic figures appear throughout scripture and are elaborated in later theology. The adjective is used to describe beings, music, or persons connected with angels or their perceived attributes. In Judaism, angels, or mal’akhim, function as agents of divine will, and the term can describe related characteristics in English. In Islamic tradition, angels (mala’ika) are considered obedient celestial beings, and “angelic” may be used in translations or descriptive writing, though the term is more common in general English than in technical theology.

In culture and the arts, angelic imagery appears in literature, music, and visual art. An angelic voice or demeanor typically evokes sweetness, purity, and serenity, while the term can also be used ironically to critique perceived naiveté or pretension.

See also: angel, angelology, archangel, heavenly beings.