skew

1 of 3

verb

ˈskyü 

skewed; skewing; skews

intransitive verb

1

: to take an oblique course

2

: to look askance

transitive verb

1

: to make, set, or cut on the skew

2

: to distort especially from a true value or symmetrical form

skew

2 of 3

adjective

1

: set, placed, or running obliquely : slanting

2

: more developed on one side or in one direction than another : not symmetrical

skew

3 of 3

noun

: a deviation from a straight line : slant

Examples of skew in a Sentence

Verb

They were accused of skewing the facts to fit their theory.

He accused them of skewing the rules in their favor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Andie desired a vibrant and comfortable space whose furnishings skewed traditional. —Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 20 Dec. 2024

Mortgage rates in Boston typically skew lower than the national average, according to the real estate group, which noted that Boston also has a good number starter-homes. —Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Naturally any stock market advances at any time skew toward the very few rich simply because the truly rich, as opposed to the W-2 well-to-do, get that way by putting their surplus to work via investment. —John Tamny, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The skew in the electoral college in 2016 and 2020 stemmed from the very large majorities Democrats won in the bluest states, including New York and California. —David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

The major one is checking for any training-serving skew. —William Mullane, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

With her latest big screen role, Lily-Rose Depp had the chance to flip the script on a classic film with a feminist skew. —Melanie Brooks, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to escape, run obliquely, from Anglo-French *eskiuer, eschiver to escape, avoid — more at eschew

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing skew

• skew curve
• skew distribution
• skew lines
• skew-whiff

Kids Definition

skew

verb

ˈskyü

1

: to take a slanting course : move or turn aside : swerve

2

: to distort from a true value or symmetrical form

skewed the facts to fit their theory