kilter

noun

kil·​ter ˈkil-tər 

: proper or usual state or condition : order

out of kilter

Synonyms

• condition
• estate
• fettle
• form
• health
• keeping
• nick [British]
• order
• repair
• shape
• trim

Examples of kilter in a Sentence

since I dropped my food processor, it's been all out of kilter

Recent Examples on the Web

While delivered with a smile, the question was deadly serious in a congressional district with such an even partisan split that anything could happen to knock the future incumbent off kilter two years from now, as just happened to Democratic first-term Rep. Yadira Caraveo. —John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024

Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Are old beliefs throwing you off kilter? —USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

His absence threw the Charges’ pass-rush out of kilter, with Tuli Tuipulotu taking over for him opposite Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree adding depth beyond those two. —Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 22 Sep. 2024

Too much rain — another reality in the era of climate change — can throw fall foliage off kilter. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kilter

• off-kilter
• out of kilter

Kids Definition

kilter

noun

kil·​ter ˈkil-tər 

: proper condition

the TV is out of kilter