Oblique

Quick meaning: Oblique is an adjective meaning Not erect or perpendicular; not parallel to, or at right angles from, the base.

Meaning

Not erect or perpendicular; not parallel to, or at right angles from, the base.

More Meanings

1. Not straightforward; indirect; by implication; (sometimes even) obscure, ambiguous, or confusing.
2. Disingenuous; underhand; morally corrupt.
3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral.
4. (botany, of leaves) Having the base of the blade asymmetrical, with one side lower than the other.
5. (botany, of branches or roots) Growing at an angle that is neither vertical nor horizontal.
6. (grammar) Pertaining to the oblique case (non-nominative).
7. (grammar, of speech or narration) Indirect; employing the actual words of the speaker but as related by a third person, having the first person in pronoun and verb converted into the third person and adverbs of present time into the past, etc.

Example Sentences

Italic fonts are sometimes described as oblique in typographic terminology.

The email from HR obliquely informed her that some complaints about her had been received.

Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye / That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy

This mode of oblique research, where a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power.

Word Forms

• obliquer
• obliquest
• obliques
• obliquing
• obliqued

Synonyms for oblique

Depending on context, synonyms include slash, aslant, askew, slanting, inclined, collateral.

Antonyms for oblique

Common opposites include direct, parallel, lineal, perpendicular, nominative.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sideways, collateral, crabwise, bias, devious, diagonal.

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