kilter
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of kilter
First recorded in 1630–40; variant of dial. kelter < ?
Explanation
The noun kilter means "balance," or "a state of working well," but you'll only find it in the phrase "out of kilter," meaning "not working right." When things are off balance or out of whack, they're out of kilter, or off-kilter. If your bike keeps pulling to one side, or your toaster is only toasting one side of the bread you insert, they're both out of kilter. If you're studying hard and forgetting to eat well and exercise, you might also feel out of kilter. The word comes from the now-obsolete kelter, although the origin of this word is unknown.
Vocabulary lists containing kilter
Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" (1863)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We are tremendously grateful to them, along with their immensely talented cast, producers and crew, and all of our partners at Kilter Films, Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television,” the statement continued.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2022
‘Off Kilter: Power and Pathos’ Sandra Low, Keiko Fukazawa and Kim-Trang Tran explore sociopolitical issues in works on view July 22 through Sept. 4.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2022
As sales of Kilter Grips' products grew, the business became a formal company in 2013.
From BBC • May 3, 2020
The town’s gym, Kilter Fitness, is letting members use its weights at home.
From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2020
On the side of Phelem-ghe-Madone was Colonel Moncreif, as umpire; and Kilter, as second, to support him on his knee.
From The Man Who Laughs by Hugo, Victor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
