off-kilter

adjective

off-kil·​ter ˈȯf-ˈkil-tər 

1

: not in perfect balance : a bit askew

off-kilter camera angles

His hat was slightly off-kilter.

2

: eccentric, unconventional

off-kilter characters

an off-kilter approach

Synonyms of off-kilter

• bizarre
• strange
• weird
• funny
• odd
• erratic
• peculiar
• curious
• eccentric
• remarkable
• crazy
• unusual

Examples of off-kilter in a Sentence

he's nice enough, but there's something a little off-kilter about him

to me, the painting on the wall looks a little off-kilter

Recent Examples on the Web

Channel 5 is is known for its viral, off-kilter political coverage and for hosting controversial interviews with actor Shia LaBeouf and fitness influencer Clavicular. — Usa Today, USA Today, 27 July 2026

Tahan portrays Roger Quincy, an off-kilter man who doesn’t want to be defined by his past but can’t seem to stay stay away from it. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Charlie Tahan as Roger Quincy — An off-kilter man who doesn’t want to be defined by his past but can’t seem to stay stay away from it. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 July 2026

Rather than acquiesce to the political advisor's preferred La-Z-Boy-style recliner, the designer reupholstered a roomy lounge chair and ottoman in floral fabric, preserving comfort while bringing it into the home’s off-kilter orbit. — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for off-kilter

• filter
• kilter
• quilter