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

While many greens can skew yellow or murky, its blue base keeps the color clean and sophisticated. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026

The crowd skews Patagonia-wearing, well-traveled, and allergic to conventional luxury. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Their answers, unsurprisingly, skew toward once-trending hues that now feel tired and overused. —Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 5 Jan. 2026

Opportunities skew toward men getting those genre leaps. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025

Noun

Bagail 8-piece Packing Cube Set While dress codes during the day skew casual on board a ship, passengers do like to dress up at night, which means the pressure is on to pull together a classy outfit that’s not on repeat. —Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

Daytime attire skews practical, heavy on athleisure, beach cover-ups, and tennis whites. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 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