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

But criticism from the likes of Elon Musk may have skewed the reality that Thygesen, his family and his employees live in. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 June 2024

That could skew how the therapists interacted with their patients. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 June 2024

Adjective

However, its tax incentives reveal a skew towards foreign co-productions, which access easier to work rebates while Spanish production use tax credits. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 12 May 2024

The results of some primary elections could determine the results in the general election, especially in areas where voters heavily skew towards one political party. —Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 7 May 2024

Noun

Back then, bitcoin's 180-day skew and the 365-day skew peaked above 3.15% and 1%, respectively. —Omkar Godbole, Forbes, 3 June 2022

And what about you second point, the negative skew? —Gary Stix, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2023

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