oblique

oblique — adjective

1. expressing something in a roundabout or hinted manner, so the listener has to wo

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

expressing something in a roundabout or hinted manner, so the listener has to work out what is really meant rather than being told plainly.

Example

The minister made an oblique reference to the scandal without naming anyone involved.

common collocation: oblique reference to

Aunt Helen's oblique comment about 'some brides choosing simpler cakes' left Sofia feeling judged.

Common collocations
  • oblique reference
  • oblique comment
  • oblique hint
  • oblique criticism
  • oblique answer
Synonyms
  • indirect

    more neutral and everyday word for the same idea

  • roundabout

    informal; suggests taking a longer path to the point

  • veiled

    stronger; suggests deliberate hiding of meaning

Antonyms

Usage Note

Subject is usually speech, writing, or behaviour (a reference, comment, hint, criticism, glance). Often carries a slight negative tone of evasion or mystery.

Common Mistakes

She gave an oblique gift to her teacher.
She gave a thoughtful gift to her teacher.
'oblique' applies to communication and meaning, not to physical objects or gestures of kindness.

2. leaning to one side rather than standing straight up or lying flat — for example

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

leaning to one side rather than standing straight up or lying flat — for example, a roof that tilts, or a line drawn diagonally across a page.

Example

Mira drew an oblique line from the top corner of the page to the bottom edge.

describes a diagonal stroke or mark

The old barn had an oblique roof that sloped sharply toward the apple trees.

Common collocations
  • oblique line
  • oblique angle
  • oblique stripe
  • oblique pose
Synonyms
  • slanting

    more everyday; describes any leaning line or surface

  • diagonal

    specifically a straight line cutting across corners

  • inclined

    formal; emphasizes the slope upward or downward

Antonyms
  • straight

    describes vertical or horizontal lines without tilt

  • perpendicular

    at a right angle, opposite of slanting

Usage Note

Frequently appears in technical or descriptive writing (geometry, architecture, design). Common collocation: 'at an oblique angle'.

Common Mistakes

The book is oblique on the shelf.
The book is leaning on the shelf.
'oblique' describes a fixed slanting position, not a temporary lean.

3. describing an angle that is not exactly 90°, so it is either narrower (acute) or

3.adjectiveC2
Definition

describing an angle that is not exactly 90°, so it is either narrower (acute) or wider (obtuse) than a right angle.

Example

The geometry teacher asked the class to measure each oblique angle in the triangle.

math classroom context: triangle angles

The carpenter cut the roof beams to meet at oblique angles instead of square corners.

Common collocations
  • oblique angle
  • oblique triangle
Synonyms
  • non-right

    purely technical alternative used in geometry texts

  • acute

    only for angles less than 90°

  • obtuse

    only for angles greater than 90° but less than 180°

Antonyms
  • right

    exactly 90°, the angle this sense excludes

Usage Note

Mathematical and technical use only. Distinguish from sense 2 (slanting): this sense applies specifically to the measure of an angle, not the orientation of a line or surface.

oblique — noun

oblique — adverb

Word family

  • obliquely
    adverbC2
  • obliqueness
    nounC2
  • obliquity
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe communication that avoids stating the point plainly, but they differ in tone and formality. 'Indirect' is the most neutral and everyday choice — a polite refusal or a careful answer can be indirect without any hidden agenda. 'Roundabout' is informal and slightly negative, suggesting the speaker takes too long to reach the point ('a roundabout way of saying no'). 'Veiled' is the strongest: it implies the real meaning is deliberately hidden, often something hostile, as in 'a veiled threat'. 'Oblique' sits between these — it is more literary and formal than 'indirect', less aggressive than 'veiled', and suggests a deliberate sideways approach. A diplomat might give an oblique answer; an angry colleague might give a veiled one.

oblique ↗indirect ↗veiledroundabout

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • slightly oblique
  • highly oblique

Phrases

  • at an oblique angle
  • in an oblique manner

Prepositions

  • oblique to
  • at an oblique angle

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Oblique entered English in the 15th century from Old French 'oblique', which came from Latin 'obliquus', meaning slanting or sideways. The Latin form is built from 'ob-' (against, toward) and a root linked to bending or leaning, so the original picture is of something tilted away from the upright. The geometric and anatomical uses (an angle that is not square; a slanting muscle) developed first; the figurative sense of indirect speech grew later by extension, comparing a hinted remark to a line that approaches its target sideways.