Word
askew
US/əˈskju/
UK/ɐskjˈuː/
Definition
adj. slanted or not in a straight line. You use this to describe something that is tilted or not sitting properly.
adj. slanting or not in a straight line; out of alignment. Often used to describe physical objects or, figuratively, a person's posture or a situation that is slightly off.
Examples
“The picture is hanging slightly askew on the wall.”
“The old wooden fence was leaning so far askew that it looked like it might fall over in the next wind.”
“The detective's hat sat slightly askew, a detail that added to his rugged, slightly disheveled appearance as he surveyed the crime scene.”
Examples
simple
“The picture is hanging slightly askew on the wall.”
contextual
“The old wooden fence was leaning so far askew that it looked like it might fall over in the next wind.”
complex
“The detective's hat sat slightly askew, a detail that added to his rugged, slightly disheveled appearance as he surveyed the crime scene.”
Etymology
From Old Norse á ská (“askew, askance”), equivalent to a- + skew. Compare Icelandic á ská (“diagonally”), Danish skrå (“slanting, oblique”), German Schräge (“slope, slant”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/askew