aslant

USAGE SUMMARY

'aslant' is a valid word in written English.
It means "at an angle; obliquely," and is typically used as an adverb. For example, "He looked at her aslant, his gaze obliquely taking her in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

These basses are coiled vertically and held upright aslant the player's body, with the bell pointing to the right; in the United States the bell may be turned forward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In performance, the bassoon is held aslant on a sling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

People like Mark Gonzales and Natas Kaupas were especially to thank, capitalizing on architecture in new ways, and looking aslant to the more technical branch of freestyle skating for ideas.

The New Yorker

They moved down the ridge through a thicket of rhododendron, the ground so aslant that in a couple of places he'd have tumbled if he hadn't watched how Lucy did it, front foot sideways and leaning backward.

The New Yorker

The two large eyes can be construed as squinting; hence Limulus, which means "squinting or aslant" in Latin.

The New Yorker

Her own favorite is one in the shape of a bouquet of roses, perched aslant on the head, though the hat she'd chosen to wear that day was a more modest production: a burgundy-colored knit skullcap.

The New Yorker

A large Russian Orthodox cross — a three-barred cross with the bottom bar set aslant — has been erected on the summit of the dome.

The New Yorker

People clumped down the steps carefully, almost aslant, squinting at the lines that were strangely solid now, though they still seemed to shift beneath their feet.

The New Yorker

A late poem called "Shaving" describes his face "aslant" like a "carpenter's problem," and in "Waking in the Blue" he sees himself "before the metal shaving mirrors" of the insane asylum: After a hearty New England breakfast, I weigh two hundred pounds this morning.

The New Yorker

Every time, as I approached from Fifth Avenue, I worried that the store might not be there, but always I would catch sight of Old Glory and the Italian Tricolor aslant on their poles outside and I would feel relief.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He comes from third field aslant, athwart.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aslant" to add a touch of stylistic flair when describing an angled position. It can be more evocative than simpler terms like "at an angle".

Common error

While "aslant" is a perfectly valid word, be mindful of its slightly formal tone. In very casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "tilted" or "slanted" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aslant" is adverbial, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed (e.g., "looked aslant"). It can also function as an adjective describing a noun's orientation (e.g., "aslant willow"), or as a preposition, indicating diagonal placement as showcased in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aslant" is a grammatically correct word meaning at an angle or obliquely, serving as an adverb, adjective, or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While not as common as some synonyms, it adds a touch of stylistic flair. It is mostly seen in News & Media. When writing, be aware of its slightly formal tone and consider simpler alternatives for casual settings. "Aslant" is a useful addition to your vocabulary for describing angled positions with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an angle

Directly states the presence of an angle, focusing on the geometric aspect.

obliquely

Similar to "aslant", but emphasizes the indirectness of the direction.

at a slant

A more descriptive way of saying something is angled.

sloping

Focuses on the gradual incline or decline of something.

diagonally

Emphasizes the traverse from one corner to the opposite.

askew

Suggests a deviation from a correct or straight position; implies something is off-center.

inclined

Highlights the angle of inclination; often used in more technical contexts.

tilted

Implies a slight angle or leaning from a vertical position.

slanted

A simple and direct synonym, interchangeable in many contexts.

at an incline

Similar to "inclined", but emphasizes the presence of an incline.

FAQs

How can I use "aslant" in a sentence?

You can use "aslant" to describe something positioned at an angle. For example, "The picture hung "aslant" on the wall" or "He glanced at her "aslant"."

What's the difference between "aslant" and "slanted"?

"Aslant" and "slanted" are synonyms, both describing something at an angle. "Aslant" might be perceived as slightly more formal or literary than "slanted".

What can I say instead of "aslant"?

You can use alternatives like "at an angle", "obliquely", or "sloping" depending on the context.

Is "aslant" commonly used in modern English?

While "aslant" is a valid word, it is not as common as alternatives like "at an angle" or "slanted". It is more likely to be found in formal writing or literary contexts.