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

Yet, Republican allies of the president have begun warning him that an agreement skewed heavily in Tehran’s favor could carry political costs of its own. —Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Interest after the Gaza war skewed toward people in their twenties and thirties. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026

Adjective

One of the most desirable characteristics of the U.S. streaming platforms is how much younger their audiences skew when compared to TV viewers. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Doing vibe coding by leaning into AI personas that have a particular software programming slant or skew, see my analysis at the link here. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Noun

Who gets crushed The pain is not distributed equally—and the skew is punishing. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026

Among Jewish Democrats, opinion skews against AIPAC, with 37% having an unfavorable opinion and 29% favorable. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 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