Askew definition: to one side; out of line; in a crooked position; awry.. See examples of ASKEW used in a sentence. The term " Askew " conjures up images of unintentional tilts or slants, often leading to an appearance that might seem off or misaligned. Think of it as an unintended departure from what's expected. "Skew", as a noun, holds mathematical and geometrical weight. It defines a particular angle or direction. As a verb, to skew means to alter or change, often in a manner that distorts the original meaning or appearance. The adverb ' askew ' has an interesting etymology with Dutch origins. It is derived from the Dutch word 'schuin,' which means 'oblique' or 'slanting.' Over time, 'schuin' was adapted into Middle English as 'eskew,' which retained its meaning of something being positioned in a crooked, tilted, or off-center fashion. The transition from 'eskew' to ' askew ' reflects the evolving nature of language and its borrowings from different sources. Therefore, the etymology of ' askew ' highlights its ... Askew is used as both an adjective and an adverb to describe things or actions that are a little off, not straight, or at an angle .