kilter

American  

[kil-ter] / ˈkɪl tər /

noun

1. good condition; order.

   The engine was out of kilter.

2. Poker. skeet.

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kilter British  

/ ˈkɪltə /

noun

1. working order or alignment (esp in the phrases off kilter, out of kilter )

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kilter Idioms  

1. see out of kilter.

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Etymology

Origin of kilter

First recorded in 1630–40; variant of dial. kelter < ?

Example Sentences

Sometimes the bills being issued are not only late, but also out of kilter with the amount of energy the customer believes they used.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

For a hurricane to grow in strength, it must also be free of cross-cutting winds, known as wind shear, which can tear holes in the walls of the storm’s eye or throw it off kilter.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 26, 2023

Many of them became homeless after an event that kicked a fragile financial situation off kilter.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023

The fact Burrow was off kilter last week wasn’t entirely surprising.

From Washington Times • Sep. 14, 2023

She has a prominent nose that seems just right and slightly off kilter at the same time.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee