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Skewed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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skewed

[skjuหd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

data analysis

Distorted or biased in a particular direction, typically in a way that is unfair or inaccurate.

Synonyms

biased, distorted, unfair.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
skewed

This word is often used when referring to data or statistics that have been altered in a way that is not neutral or balanced.

  • The survey results are skewed because only young people were asked to participate.
  • His perception of the situation is skewed by his personal beliefs.
biased

Biased is used when someone has a strong opinion or preference for one side over another, often in an unfair way.

  • The judge was accused of being biased towards the defendant.
  • Her review of the book seems biased because she knows the author personally.
distorted

Distorted is utilized when something is twisted out of its original form, making it unclear or misleading.

  • The image was distorted due to a bad internet connection.
  • His story is distorted and doesnโ€™t reflect what really happened.
unfair

Use this word when describing a situation where someone is treated in a way that is not right or just.

  • It was unfair to blame her for something she didn't do.
  • The distribution of resources was unfair, favoring the wealthy.

Examples of usage

  • The results of the survey were skewed towards younger participants.
  • The data was skewed due to the small sample size.
Context #2 | Verb

mathematics

To cause data to be distorted or biased in a particular direction.

Synonyms

bias, distort, manipulate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
skewed

Used when information or data is not represented accurately or fairly, typically due to a certain perspective or error that alters its interpretation.

  • The survey results were skewed because only people from one age group responded.
  • His view on the topic was skewed by his personal experiences.
distort

Used when something is twisted or changed from its original form or meaning, often resulting in a misleading or inaccurate representation.

  • The mirror distorted his reflection.
  • The politician's comments were distorted by the media.
bias

Refers to a tendency to favor a particular perspective, person, or group over another, often in an unfair manner. It can be intentional or unintentional.

  • The journalist was accused of bias in her reporting.
  • It's important to recognize our own biases when making decisions.
manipulate

Involves controlling or influencing someone or something cleverly or unscrupulously, often for one's own advantage. This usually has a negative connotation.

  • She tried to manipulate the data to support her argument.
  • He manipulated his friends to get what he wanted.

Examples of usage

  • The outlier skewed the results of the experiment.
  • She skewed the graph to emphasize her point.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychology, a 'skewed' perspective can lead to cognitive biases where individuals perceive information in a way that confirms their beliefs.
  • Research shows that people often have skewed perceptions of risk, underestimating some dangers while overestimating others.
  • Skewed social feedback, like that from social media, can greatly impact self-esteem and worldview.

Statistics

  • In statistics, a 'skewed distribution' means that data points are not evenly distributed; they favor one end of the spectrum.
  • A positively skewed distribution has a tail on the right side, indicating more low values and a few higher ones.
  • Negatively skewed distributions have longer tails on the left, signifying more high values and a few lower ones.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often use skewed perspectives to create plot twists, making viewers see situations in an unexpected light.
  • In music, many artists explore themes of skewed realities, reflecting on personal biases and societal issues.
  • Social media platforms are criticized for presenting skewed views of reality, shaping how followers perceive the world.

Art

  • Artist Vincent van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' features skewed lines and exaggerated forms that create a dreamlike quality.
  • Cubism, pioneered by Picasso, uses skewed perspectives to challenge traditional representations of reality in art.
  • Dynamic angles and skewed compositions in photography can create dramatic effects, changing how we see the subject.

Origin of 'skewed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'sceowian', which meant to 'squint' or 'look askance'.
  • In Middle English, 'skewed' referred to something that was bent or crooked, emphasizing its unnatural alignment.
  • Over time, 'skewed' has evolved to represent not just physical slants, but also biased perspectives in discussions and data.

The word 'skewed' originated from the Middle English word 'skewen', meaning to turn or change direction. Over time, it evolved to refer to something that is distorted or biased. The term is commonly used in data analysis and mathematics to describe a deviation from the normal distribution. In modern usage, 'skewed' often conveys a sense of imbalance or unfairness.

See also: skew, skewer.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,886, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.