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

The rules for matching funds are skewed against districts with low property-tax bases, Barrera pointed out — and those tend to be smaller and more rural, without the concentrations of high-value properties that can help raise hundreds of millions in districts like San Diego Unified. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025

While some touch-up products can skew too ashy or matte on deeper tones, this one nails that soft, satin finish that actually looks like hair. —Neha Tandon, Glamour, 12 May 2025

Adjective

Here’s the full breakdown of judges, by which president appointed them: Trump: 33 Biden: 69 Obama: 66 George W. Bush: 16 Clinton: 26 George H.W. Bush: 2 Reagan: 12 The skew is no accident. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025

PwC Netherlands’ recent report, The Value of Age in the Boardroom, reveals how most companies fail to see the economic upside of generational balance and skew too old. —Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Noun

But just as notable a skew was in how the 2025 ACM Awards were dominated by the female of the species… pretty much in inverse proportion to their minuscule representation on the country charts. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 May 2025

This could be the start of a skew of dates to be announced. —Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

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