Oblique — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun adverb /ō-ˈblēk/

Meaning & Definition of Oblique

Oblique (adjective)

  1. neither perpendicular nor parallel, inclined
  2. having the axis not perpendicular to the base
  3. having no right angle

Oblique (noun)

  1. something (such as a line) that is oblique
  2. any of several oblique muscles; especially, any of the thin flat muscles forming the middle and outer layers of the lateral walls of the abdomen

Oblique (adverb)

  1. at a 45 degree angle

Oblique (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. inclined or twisted to one side

    "gave the eavesdropper an oblique glance out of the corner of her eye"

    similar: askew, aslant, atilt, awry, cock-a-hoop, cockeyed, crazy, crooked, listing, lopsided, off-kilter, pitched, skewed, slanted, slanting, slantwise, tilted, tipping, uneven, out of plumb
    related: asymmetrical, unbalanced, unsymmetrical, contorted, disordered, distorted, irregular
    opposite: even, level, straight
    near: ordered, orderly, regular, uniform, balanced, symmetrical

  2. running in a slanting direction

    "in the painting the artist repeats the oblique line of the path with the oblique line of the outstretched arm"

    similar: cant, canted, diagonal, graded, inclined, leaning, listing, pitched, raked, slant, slanted, slantwise, sloped, sloping, tilted, tilting
    near: horizontal, level, plumb, up-and-down, vertical, parallel, perpendicular

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Oblique

The most common words with a similar meaning to Oblique:

askew, aslant, atilt, awry, cock-a-hoop, cockeyed, crazy, crooked, listing, lopsided, off-kilter, pitched, skewed, slanted, slanting, slantwise, tilted, tipping, uneven, cant, canted, diagonal, graded, inclined, leaning, raked, slant, sloped, sloping, tilting, out of plumb

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Oblique

Words with the opposite meaning of Oblique:

even, level, straight

Related Words for Oblique

asymmetrical, unbalanced, unsymmetrical, contorted, disordered, distorted, irregular

Near Antonyms of Oblique

ordered, orderly, regular, uniform, balanced, symmetrical, horizontal, plumb, up-and-down, vertical, parallel, perpendicular

Word Forms of Oblique

Derived words: obliquely (adverb), obliqueness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Oblique

Middle English oblique, oblike, borrowed from Anglo-French oblic, oblique, borrowed from Latin oblīquus "slanting, transverse," from ob- "against, facing" + -līquus, of uncertain meaning and origin ob-

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Oblique

oblique angle, oblique case

Frequently Asked Questions about Oblique

What does "Oblique" mean?

"Oblique" means neither perpendicular nor parallel, inclined. As an an adjective, a noun and an adverb, it is defined as: neither perpendicular nor parallel, inclined. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Oblique"?

Other words for "Oblique" include askew, aslant, atilt, awry, cock-a-hoop, cockeyed, crazy and crooked. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Oblique" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Oblique"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Oblique". Common alternatives include askew, aslant, atilt, awry, cock-a-hoop, cockeyed, crazy, crooked, listing and lopsided.

What is the opposite of "Oblique"?

Antonyms of "Oblique" include even, level and straight. Near antonyms include ordered, orderly, regular and uniform.

How do you use "Oblique" in a sentence?

Examples of "Oblique" in a sentence: "gave the eavesdropper an oblique glance out of the corner of her eye"; "in the painting the artist repeats the oblique line of the path with the oblique line of the outstretched arm".

Is "Oblique" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Oblique" can be used as an adjective, a noun and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Oblique"?

"Oblique" is pronounced /ō-ˈblēk/.

What is the origin of the word "Oblique"?

"Oblique" comes from Middle English oblique, oblike, borrowed from Anglo-French oblic, oblique, borrowed from Latin oblīquus "slanting, transverse," from ob- "against, facing" + -līquus, of uncertain meaning and origin ob-. First known use: 15th century.