verb
Uncommon
tilt
tihlt
Tilt (verb) means to lean or slant something, or to be at an angle. Example: “She tilted the picture frame until it hung straight.”
verb
1
To lean or slant something, or to be at an angle.
"She tilted the picture frame until it hung straight."
"The old barn tilts noticeably to one side."
"If you tilt the tray too far, the soup will spill."
2
(gaming slang) To become so frustrated after a run of losses that one's play gets noticeably worse.
"He kept losing hands and started to tilt badly."
"Don't tilt after one bad round; take a break and breathe."
"My friend tends to tilt whenever the other team starts winning."
noun
1
A slant or lean; the angle at which something is inclined.
"The Earth's axial tilt causes the seasons."
"The tower has a slight tilt that visitors notice immediately."
"Adjust the tilt of the screen so the glare disappears."
2
A jousting match, or an attempt at some goal or contest.
"The knights met in a tilt before the crowd."
"His tilt at the mayoral election fell short."
"The young team's tilt at promotion began with a surprising win."
How to use tilt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lean at an angle — or, in gaming, to lose your composure after a bad run.
Common pairings
tilt at an angle
tilt the balance
going on tilt
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Word forms
- Plural
- tilts
- Third person singular
- tilts
- Past tense
- tilted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the picture frame until it hung straight.
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "unsteady" or "to shake"; the jousting sense arose around 1510 from the barrier separating combatants, and the gaming-frustration sense is said to come from pinball, where "tilting" the machine could end your turn.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tilt
See all rhymes for tilt →Frequently asked questions
What does “tilt” mean?
The word “tilt” means to lean or slant something, or to be at an angle. In plain terms, to lean at an angle — or, in gaming, to lose your composure after a bad run.
How do you pronounce “tilt”?
“Tilt” is pronounced tihlt (/tɪlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tilt” in a sentence?
Here is “tilt” used in a sentence: “She tilted the picture frame until it hung straight.”
What is another word for “tilt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tilt” include slope, incline and slant.
What part of speech is “tilt”?
Depending on how it is used, “tilt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tilt” come from?
The word “tilt” dates back to around 1510 and comes from Old English.
Is “tilt” a common word?
“Tilt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tilt” have?
“Tilt” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lean or slant something, or to be at an angle.
What is the difference between tilt and slant?
Tilt and slant both describe an angled position, but tilt often implies a deliberate or sudden shift from level, while slant can describe a naturally angled or sloped state. "Tilt the frame slightly" suggests an action, whereas "the roof has a slant" describes a fixed feature.
What does "tilt" mean in poker or gaming slang?
In gaming slang, to tilt means to become so frustrated after a run of losses that a player's decision-making and performance noticeably worsen. Players "on tilt" often make riskier or less rational choices than they normally would.
