slanted; slanting; slants

intransitive verb

1
: to take a diagonal course, direction, or path
2
: to turn or incline from a right line or a level : slope

transitive verb

1
: to give an oblique or sloping direction to
2
: to interpret or present in line with a special interest : angle
stories slanted toward youth
especially : to maliciously or dishonestly distort or falsify

slant

2 of 2

noun

1
: a slanting direction, line, or plane : slope
2
a
: something that slants
c
: a football running play in which the ballcarrier runs obliquely toward the line of scrimmage
3
a
: a peculiar or personal point of view, attitude, or opinion
b
: a slanting view : glance
slant adjective

Examples of slant in a Sentence

Verb The sunlight slanted down through the leaves and branches of the trees. She slanted her hat a little to the right. They deliberately slanted the story to make themselves look good. Noun The computer keyboard is positioned at a slant so that typing is more comfortable for the wrists. He sliced the carrots on a slant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The slanting afternoon light lends his ascent a spooky, otherworldly glow. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 Hoskins said the city law is slanted toward tenants and should be more balanced. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
This content will feature original video series, social and digital campaigns, interviews with athletes and talent, all with a comedic slant. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Many like to argue Purdy leans on slant routes and bubble screens with a talented cast of skill players around him. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slant 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English slenten to fall obliquely, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect slenta to slope, Old Norse sletta to throw carelessly

First Known Use

Verb

1644, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slant was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near slant

Cite this Entry

“Slant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slant. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: to turn or incline from a straight line or a level : slope
2
: to interpret or present according to a special viewpoint

slant

2 of 2 noun
1
: a slanting direction, line, or plane : slope
2
: something that slants
3
: a way of looking at something
get a new slant on the problem
slant adjective

Medical Definition

: a culture medium solidified obliquely in a tube so as to increase the surface area
a blood-agar slant
compare stab sense 2a

More from Merriam-Webster on slant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!