Slant
/slænt/
nounverbB1
Definition
As a noun, slant is the angle or tilt of something that is not vertical or horizontal. As a verb, it means to lean or tilt something to one side. It can also mean to show information or ideas in a way that supports one opinion more than others (bias).
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See It in Action
A surface or line that leans or tilts away from vertical or horizontal
- •The roof has a slant to help rainwater flow off.
- •The picture frame was hung with a slight slant.
- •The table leg was uneven, causing the table to have a slant.
To lean or tilt something in a direction
- •She slanted the mirror to see behind her.
- •The tree slanted because of strong wind.
- •He slanted his head to listen better.
To present information with a bias or particular opinion
- •The news article slanted the story to favor one side.
- •His speech slanted towards supporting the new law.
- •Be careful not to slant your report with personal opinions.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "slant" like "tilt" (A1 word), but it can be about lines, surfaces, or ideas leaning in a certain way.
- ✓Picture a picture frame hanging on a wall that is not straight but leaning to the left or right.
- ✓It's the feeling when you see a story on TV that seems to support one side more than the other.
- ✓Sounds like "plant" but with an 's' → Imagine planting a flag at an angle on a hill.
- ✓Imagine a hill that slopes gently down; that slope is a slant.
- ✓NOT like "straight" (perfectly vertical or horizontal), slant means leaning or tilted.
- ✓NOT like "neutral" (without bias), slant means showing a point of view or opinion.
- ✓NOT like "fall" (to drop down suddenly), slant is a gentle or controlled tilt.
Try Other Words
- •Tilt: to lean or tip slightly (Use when talking about physical leaning or small movements)
- •Bias: a preference or opinion that affects judgment (Use when talking about opinion or information that is not neutral)
- •Angle: the direction or position something leans (Use when emphasizing the geometric or physical direction)
- •Slope: a surface that goes up or down at an angle (Use when talking about land or surfaces that are not flat)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: base word "slant" (no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "slant" meaning to slope or lean
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to describe leaning or sloping surfaces; later extended to mean biased presentation
- •Modern usage: Used physically to describe angles and figuratively to describe biased views or opinions
- •Key insight: The word connects physical leaning with the idea of leaning toward a particular opinion
Reflect & Connect
•How can the physical idea of slant help you understand when someone is giving a biased (slanted) opinion?
•Can you think of a time when you noticed a slant in news or stories you read? How did it affect your understanding?
Fill in the blanks
1.The roof has a ___ so that rainwater can easily flow off and not stay on top.
2.When she spoke, her words ___ the idea that the new plan was better than the old one.
3.The picture on the wall was not straight; it had a slight ___ to the right.
4.The tree ___ after the storm because strong winds pushed it to one side.
5.Be careful not to ___ your report by adding too many personal opinions.
6.He ___ his head to the side when he was trying to hear better during the conversation.
7.Unlike a flat surface, a slant is a ___ or tilt that changes the direction of something.