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

BookTok’s preferences may skew toward familiar beats and blunt-force sensation, but in Harpman the hive mind has alighted on something more capacious and slippery. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

After years of being by Isabel Klee’s side and acting as a patient, steady figure for countless foster animals, the 7-year-old Jindo-skewing mix took his final breath last week. — Gina Park, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Missteps in the feedback process can waste time, skew results and keep teams from making productive changes. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

In its report, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the figures heavily skew toward Russia, with roughly three Russians killed or wounded to every one Ukrainian killed or wounded, the report finds. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 1 July 2026

Noun

As the graphic below outlines, that focus towards the right side has been a feature of Arteta’s side for some time — but the skew is increasing as greater responsibility is given to Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 27 July 2026

The feedback that does come back skews to the extremes, leaving a blind spot in the middle where most of your customers live. — Anna Convery, Forbes.com, 23 July 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