slant

1 of 2

verb

slanted; slanting; slants

intransitive verb

1
: to take a diagonal course, direction, or path
2
: to turn or incline from a right line or a level : slope

transitive verb

1
: to give an oblique or sloping direction to
2
: to interpret or present in line with a special interest : angle
stories slanted toward youth
especially : to maliciously or dishonestly distort or falsify
slantingly adverb

slant

2 of 2

noun

1
: a slanting direction, line, or plane : slope
2
a
: something that slants
c
: a football running play in which the ballcarrier runs obliquely toward the line of scrimmage
3
a
: a peculiar or personal point of view, attitude, or opinion
b
: a slanting view : glance
slant adjective
slantways adverb
slantwise adverb or adjective
slanty adjective

Examples of slant in a Sentence

Verb The sunlight slanted down through the leaves and branches of the trees. She slanted her hat a little to the right. They deliberately slanted the story to make themselves look good. Noun The computer keyboard is positioned at a slant so that typing is more comfortable for the wrists. He sliced the carrots on a slant.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
But the process is slanted in favor of domestic producers. Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 The structure features support pillars slanted at slight angles, resembling tree branches. Joe Guillen, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024
Noun
Advertisement The two connected again on fourth and goal at the one-yard line as Cooke caught a quick slant to increase the Cougars’ lead to 21-8 with 11:30 left in the second half. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 Stars like Lily Collins, meanwhile, have taken a boxy herringbone blazer and given it a more casual slant—pairing it with a cropped tee, jeans, and pointed pumps. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slant 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English slenten to fall obliquely, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect slenta to slope, Old Norse sletta to throw carelessly

First Known Use

Verb

1644, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slant was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near slant

Cite this Entry

“Slant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slant. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

slant

1 of 2 verb
1
: to turn or incline from a straight line or a level : slope
2
: to interpret or present according to a special viewpoint

slant

2 of 2 noun
1
: a slanting direction, line, or plane : slope
2
: something that slants
3
: a way of looking at something
get a new slant on the problem
slant adjective
slanty adjective

Medical Definition

slant

noun
: a culture medium solidified obliquely in a tube so as to increase the surface area
a blood-agar slant
compare stab sense 2a

More from Merriam-Webster on slant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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