catawampus
Americanadjective
-
askew; awry.
-
positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.
adverb
Usage
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."
Etymology
Origin of catawampus
First recorded in 1830–40 for earlier sense “utterly”; cata- diagonally ( see cater-cornered) + -wampus, perhaps akin to wampish
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.
Then again, the district’s catawampus finances suggest its leaders are no better at math.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
We’re trying to find the balance again because it’s felt catawampus for a minute.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2025
Zeus brings me to the beach shortly after passing a catawampus gazebo with several collapsed pilings.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 14, 2019
One set of shutters was missing and the other hung lopsided, like the whole house had been smacked catawampus.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Knitting is something you can do, even when your heart is going like a trip-hammer and the pit of your stomach feels all gone and your thoughts are catawampus.
From Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
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.
