Ankle Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms ankle American [ang-kuhl] / ˈæŋ kəl /

noun

1. (in humans) the joint between the foot and the leg, in which movement occurs in two planes.

2. the corresponding joint in a quadruped or bird; hock.

3. the slender part of the leg above the foot.

ankle British / ˈæŋkəl /

noun

1. the joint connecting the leg and the foot See talus 1

2. the part of the leg just above the foot

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ankle

First recorded before 1000; partly from Middle English ankel, enkel, ankyl, cognate with Middle Low German, Dutch enkel, Old Frisian ankel, Old High German anchal, enchil, Old Norse ǫkkul (from unrecorded ankula); partly from Middle English anclowe, oncleou, Old English anclēow, onclēow, cognate with Middle Low German anclef, Dutch anklāw, Old High German anchlāo; akin to Latin angulus “corner, angle,” Greek ankúlos “bent, crooked,” and ankṓn “bend of the arm, elbow”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Tripped and wrenched my ankle pretty badly, but Miss Charity was able to help me along. It’s nothing, really.”

From Literature

Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, who was dealing with a bum ankle, tried to play with a brace and briefly made an appearance in the first half before returning to the sideline.

From Los Angeles Times

After recovering from a fractured left ankle, the rookie tweaked his right ankle during Week 17 against the Houston Texans.

From Los Angeles Times

Tyler Higbee is off injured reserve after an ankle injury and contributing again for a Rams tight ends group that is poised to cause issues for opposing defenses.

From Los Angeles Times

He started off as the second-string quarterback, but when starter Austin Simmons hurt his ankle in the second week of the season, Chambliss grabbed the reins.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.