What does axel mean?
An axel is a fundamental jump in figure skating, performed by launching from a forward outside edge, rotating one and a half times through the air, and landing on the opposite back outside edge. Because the skater takes off facing forward rather than backward, the axel requires an extra half revolution compared to other jumps of the same nominal rotation count, which makes it widely regarded as one of the most difficult jumps to master. It takes its name from Axel Paulsen, a Norwegian skater who first performed it in 1882. In competition commentary and everyday speech among fans, the word almost always appears alongside a modifier such as "double," "triple," or "quad" to indicate how many full rotations are completed. The word carries connotations of athletic daring and technical precision, and landing a clean triple or quadruple axel remains a celebrated milestone in the sport.
nounA figure-skating jump launched from the forward outside edge and completed after one and a half revolutions in the air; it is the only jump that takes off facing forward. Also used more broadly for the triple or quadruple versions of this jump.
- A figure-skating jump taking off from a forward outside edge with one and a half rotations in the air.
- The scoring designation or element name for this jump in competitive skating programs.
"She landed a flawless triple axel to win the gold medal."
"At just thirteen, she became the youngest American woman to land a triple axel in competition."
"His double axel was solid all season, but the quad toe loop remained out of reach."
Regular plural formation; used when discussing multiple jumps, e.g. across performances or competitors.
"Both skaters attempted triple axels in their short programs."
Every axel in skating history is named for a Norwegian speed skater who invented it in 1882 — making it one of the few sports moves you can trace to a single person's name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of axel
The word "axel" comes directly from the name of Axel Paulsen (1856–1938), a Norwegian figure skater and speed skater who first performed the jump at an international competition in Vienna in 1882, where it was called the "Paulsen jump" before later taking his surname. The surname Axel itself is a Scandinavian form derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Absalom (Avshalom), meaning "father of peace." Unlike most sporting vocabulary, the term preserves a direct eponymous link to its inventor.
How axel is actually used
Always capitalized informally as "Axel" by some writers when referring to the jump, though lowercase is standard in modern usage. Commonly modified by "double," "triple," or "quad" to indicate the number of revolutions.
Easily confused with axel
An 'axle' is the rod or shaft on which a wheel rotates, while an 'axel' is a figure-skating jump — they are pronounced identically but entirely unrelated in meaning.