off-kilter

American  

[awf-kil-ter, of‐] / ˈɔfˈkɪl tər, ˈɒf‐ /

adjective

1. not exactly straight or balanced; askew; uneven.

   off-kilter paintings on every wall.

2. not completely well; somewhat ill.

   still off-kilter two weeks after the flu.

3. unusual or eccentric; unconventional.

   short stories with off-kilter endings.

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Etymology

Origin of off-kilter

First recorded in 1925–30; off ( def. ) + kilter ( def. )

Example Sentences

Yet Keaton’s off-kilter taste—reflected elsewhere in her rambling dialogue delivery and outré fashion sense—is in evidence in her attraction to the strange personalities asked to ruminate on the hereafter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

The Dadaist piece is every bit as off-kilter and fascinating as the Talking Heads song that inspired its title.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

It included absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks pretty real, junky AI-written books, “workslop” reports that waste coworkers’ time — and lots of talking cats.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

Unlike most modern pop albums, it's the work of just three people, with Rae and her collaborators Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser establishing a stylish, spacey and occasionally off-kilter sonic palette all of their own.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

And the table was exactly centered in the room, as if it had never been knocked off-kilter by struggling men.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix