tilt
Tilt (verb) means to lean or slant something, or to be at an angle. Example: “She tilted the picture frame until it hung straight.”
How to use tilt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lean at an angle — or, in gaming, to lose your composure after a bad run.
Word forms
tilted past tense, tilted past tense, tilts plural, tilts plural, tilts singular, tilts singular
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.
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.