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

Natural stone can easily skew warmer, cooler, grayer, or more varied than anticipated. —Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026

The series skews soapy, and Cooke and Wright revel in putting each other through psychological hell. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026

Adjective

From these six companies alone, BofA identified over $15 billion in commissions paid to independent agents in 2025 that largely skew toward low-complexity risks. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

Single hearts and nail-bed outlines skew minimalist but instantly referential. —Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026

Noun

Even the attractions here skew mellow, from the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center to the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, the longest on the Gulf, where anglers cast lines as pelicans glide overhead. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Advertisement That skew makes a certain psychological sense. —Leslie John, Time, 27 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for skew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

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