catawampus

Also cat·ty·wam·pus

[kat-uh-wom-puhs]

adjective

1. askew; awry.

2. positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.

adverb

1. diagonally; obliquely.

   We took a shortcut and walked catawampus across the field.

Word History and Origins

Origin of catawampus¹

First recorded in 1830–40 for earlier sense “utterly”; cata- diagonally ( cater-cornered ) + -wampus, perhaps akin to wampish

Example Sentences

We’re trying to find the balance again because it’s felt catawampus for a minute.

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One set of shutters was missing and the other hung lopsided, like the whole house had been smacked catawampus.

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Zeus brings me to the beach shortly after passing a catawampus gazebo with several collapsed pilings.

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“We kind of got a little bit catawampus here.”

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Larger tables in the trapezoidal dining room are close and kind of catawampus.

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Related Words

• curved www.thesaurus.com
• curving www.thesaurus.com
• devious 
• errant 
• gnarled 
• meandering 
• serpentine 
• sinuous 
• twisted 
• twisting 
• winding 

When To Use

Where does catawampus come from?

Catawampus, meaning "askew, diagonal," is first recorded in the 1830–40s. Originally, catawampus also meant "fierce." It's thought to be an American colloquialism influenced by the cater- in cater-cornered (or for many of us, kitty-corner) and wampish, Scottish for "flopping about."Many more amusing Americanisms await in our slideshow "These Wacky Words Originated In The USA."