Tilting
/ˈtɪltɪŋ/
verbadjectiveB1present participle
Definition
Tilting is the action of moving or causing something to lean to one side, so it is no longer upright or flat. It can also describe when something is already leaning or slanting. This word is often used for objects like a picture frame, a hat, or a tower that is not straight.
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See It in Action
The action of leaning or moving at an angle
- •She was tilting her head to see better.
- •The picture on the wall is tilting because the nail is loose.
- •The boat started tilting to the left in the strong wind.
Describing something that is leaning or slanting
- •The tilting tower is a popular tourist attraction.
- •His hat had a tilting brim that gave him a stylish look.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "tilting" like "leaning" (A2 word), but usually a small or controlled movement to one side.
- ✓Picture a glass slowly tipping over, starting to lean before it falls.
- ✓It's the feeling when you lean your head to listen carefully or to look curious.
- ✓Sounds like "TILT-ing" → imagine a small "tilt" motion, like a seesaw moving gently up and down.
- ✓Think of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, famous because it is tilting to one side.
- ✓NOT like "falling" (completely down), tilting is just the start or the state of leaning.
- ✓NOT like "turning" (rotating fully), tilting means a partial movement to one side.
- ✓NOT like "straight" or "upright," tilting means not in a perfect vertical or horizontal position.
Try Other Words
- •Leaning: resting or bending slightly against something (Use when the object is supported or resting)
- •Slanting: positioned at an angle (Use when describing a fixed angle, often more diagonal)
- •Inclining: moving or positioned upward or downward at an angle (Use in formal or technical contexts)
- •Listing: used mainly for ships leaning to one side (Use when talking about boats or ships tilting)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "tilt" + suffix "-ing" (shows action or state happening now)
- •Etymology: From Middle English "tilten," meaning to cause to lean or tip over
- •Historical development: Originally meant to cause something to lean or tip; now also describes the state of leaning
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe small movements or positions of objects, heads, or structures at an angle
Reflect & Connect
•How does tilting change the way we see or use objects around us?
•Can tilting be helpful or dangerous? In what situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.She was tilting her head ___ to hear the quiet sound better.
2.The picture frame started tilting because the nail was ___ loose.
3.A boat tilting to one side may be a sign of ___ water inside.
4.Tilting is different from turning because it only moves ___ to one side, not all the way around.
5.When the wind blows strongly, trees may start ___ and bending.
6.The Leaning Tower of Pisa is famous because it is ___ to one side for many years.
7.If an object is tilting, it is not perfectly ___ or level.