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Skew Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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skew

[skjuː ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

mathematics

To change or distort in shape or appearance. In mathematics, to skew a shape means to transform it in a way that its angles and lengths are not preserved.

Synonyms

deform, distort, warp.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
skew

Use 'skew' when something is turned or twisted off course or is presented in a biased or unfair way.

  • The results of the survey were skewed by the disproportionately high number of young respondents
  • Her view on the issue is skewed by her personal experiences
distort

Use 'distort' when referring to a change in shape, appearance, or sound. It can also mean misrepresenting or twisting information in a misleading way, often with a negative connotation.

  • The funhouse mirror distorted her reflection
  • The news article distorted the facts of the story
deform

Use 'deform' when talking about physical change in shape, often in a way that is unintended or not normal. This word often carries a negative connotation.

  • The heat caused the plastic toy to deform
  • The accident deformed his leg, requiring extensive surgery
warp

Use 'warp' when something, often a physical object, is twisted or bent out of its original shape due to heat, moisture, or other forces. It can also refer to deviation in behavior or thinking.

  • The wooden fence started to warp over time due to the constant rain
  • His traumatic experience seemed to have warped his sense of reality

Examples of usage

  • The graph was skewed to the right due to the outlier data point.
  • The data was skewed by the presence of extreme values.
Context #2 | Noun

statistics

A measure of the asymmetry of a probability distribution. A distribution is said to be skewed if it is not symmetrical around its mean.

Synonyms

asymmetry, lopsidedness, tilt.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
skew

When something is not straight or evenly balanced, especially when discussing data, graphs, or physical objects.

  • The data points seem to skew towards higher values.
  • The picture frame is skewed.
asymmetry

Used to describe a lack of equality or equivalence between parts, often in scientific, artistic, or medical contexts.

  • The two sides of his face show visible asymmetry.
  • There's a noticeable asymmetry in the sculpture's design.
lopsidedness

When something is uneven or unevenly balanced, usually in a more informal or descriptive manner. It often carries a slightly negative connotation.

  • The lopsidedness of the cake made it look homemade.
  • Their team performance showed a clear lopsidedness.
tilt

Describes an inclination or slant of something typically in physical space. It’s often used in mechanical, geographical, or casual descriptions.

  • You need to tilt the camera a bit to the left.
  • The tower has a noticeable tilt.

Examples of usage

  • The distribution of income in the country showed a positive skew.
  • The skew of the data set indicated a non-normal distribution.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In geometry, 'skew lines' are lines that do not intersect and are not parallel, common in three-dimensional spaces.
  • Data can be 'skewed' in statistics, meaning it can be distorted or biased in a particular direction.
  • Graphing a skewed distribution helps visualize how data varies from the average value.

Pop Culture

  • In film and media, a 'skew' shot can create a sense of disorientation or excitement, often used in horror movies.
  • A popular trend in social media is to 'skew' traditional beliefs, challenging norms in creative ways.
  • The term 'skew' is often used in photography and design to describe an off-center balance for artistic effect.

Psychology

  • Cognitive biases can cause individuals to perceive information in a skewed manner, leading to distorted decision-making.
  • Life experiences may 'skew' one's perspective, affecting how they interpret and react to events and feelings.
  • The 'skew phenomenon' refers to how emotions can influence our judgments and lead to biased outcomes.

Culture

  • In various cultures, 'skewed' humor involves taking a common situation and twisting it for comedic effect.
  • Art movements often embrace the 'skewed' aesthetics, challenging conventional beauty by altering shapes and perspectives.
  • The idea of 'skew' can relate to social issues, where statistics may be presented in a slanted way to influence public opinion.

Origin of 'skew'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'skew' originates from the Middle Dutch 'schu', which means 'to deflect' or 'to slant'.
  • In the 15th century, 'skew' was commonly used in English to refer to anything that was not in a straight line.
  • It can also be linked to Old Norse 'skew', meaning 'crooked', indicating a twist or turn.

The word 'skew' originated from the Old Norse word 'skegg', meaning 'beard'. Over time, the meaning of 'skew' evolved to represent the idea of being oblique or slanting. In the context of mathematics and statistics, 'skew' came to denote a deviation from symmetry or straightness. The term has been used in various fields to describe distortion or asymmetry.

See also: skewed, skewer.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,158, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.