oblique
uh-BLEEK
Oblique (adjective) means Slanting; not straight up-and-down or side-to-side. Example: “The roof had an oblique line running from the chimney to the eaves.”
adjective
1
Slanting; not straight up-and-down or side-to-side.
"The roof had an oblique line running from the chimney to the eaves."
2
Indirect or evasive rather than straightforward.
"He made an oblique reference to the scandal without naming anyone."
noun
1
The forward slash symbol (/).
"Write the date with an oblique between day and month."
How to use oblique
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlanted rather than straight, or (of speech/writing) indirect rather than blunt.
Common pairings
oblique angle
oblique reference
oblique line
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Word forms
- Plural
- obliques
- Third person singular
- obliques
- Past tense
- obliqued
- Comparative
- obliquer
- Superlative
- obliquest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The roof had an _____ line running from the chimney to the eaves.
Etymology
From Latin obliquus, "slanting, sideways, indirect."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for oblique
See all rhymes for oblique →Frequently asked questions
What does “oblique” mean?
The word “oblique” means slanting; not straight up-and-down or side-to-side. In plain terms, slanted rather than straight, or (of speech/writing) indirect rather than blunt.
How do you pronounce “oblique”?
“Oblique” is pronounced uh-BLEEK (/oʊˈbliːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “oblique” in a sentence?
Here is “oblique” used in a sentence: “The roof had an oblique line running from the chimney to the eaves.”
What is another word for “oblique”?
Words with a similar meaning to “oblique” include slash.
What part of speech is “oblique”?
Depending on how it is used, “oblique” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “oblique” come from?
The word “oblique” comes from Latin. From Latin obliquus, "slanting, sideways, indirect.".
Is “oblique” a common word?
“Oblique” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “oblique” have?
“Oblique” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slanting; not straight up-and-down or side-to-side.
