oblique
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
Neither parallel nor at a right angle; slanting.
Not expressed or done in a direct way; indirect. In grammar, describing any case other than the nominative or vocative.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term spans concrete geometry (lines), abstract concepts (indirectness), and specific grammatical terminology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly higher frequency in British English for the 'indirect' sense (e.g., 'oblique reference').
Connotations
Equally formal in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech in both varieties; most common in specialised contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be oblique about somethingto make an oblique reference toat an oblique angle toVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make an oblique reference to”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in strategy: 'an oblique approach to market penetration'.
Academic
Common in geometry, linguistics, art criticism, and literary analysis: 'the poet's oblique treatment of grief'.
Everyday
Very rare. If used: 'She gave me an oblique look, hinting she knew more.'
Technical
Anatomy: 'external oblique abdominis'. Geometry: 'an angle of 45° is oblique'. Military: 'oblique order'. Grammar: 'oblique case'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The road obliques sharply to the left past the old mill.
American English
- The columnist obliqued toward the real issue without naming names.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Draw an oblique line from one corner to the other.
- She made an oblique reference to the scandal without going into details.
- The novel's oblique narrative structure challenges linear interpretations, employing flashbacks and unreliable narration to fragment the protagonist's consciousness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LINE that's not straight (like a slash /) – it's OBLIQUE. Or, an indirect COMMENT that doesn't hit head-on but comes in at an angle.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTNESS IS STRAIGHTNESS / INDIRECTNESS IS ANGLED OR SLANTED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'oblik' (archaic). For the 'slanting' sense, use 'kosoy' or 'naklonnyy'. For 'indirect', use 'kosvennyy' or 'ne pryamoy'. The grammatical term is 'kosvennyy padezh'.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /oʊˈblaɪk/ (like 'blike'). Using it for mild slopes ('gentle oblique hill' – use 'gentle slope'). Overusing in place of simpler 'indirect'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'oblique' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In geometry, often yes. However, 'oblique' emphasises deviation from a right angle or parallel, while 'diagonal' specifically connects non-adjacent corners.
Not exactly. It means 'indirect' or 'not straightforward', which can result in unclear communication, but the core idea is the manner (angled/indirect), not the result (unclear).
The primary pronunciation /əˈbliːk/ is the same. Some American speakers may use a first syllable /oʊ/ (like 'owe-bleak'), but it's less common.
It is any grammatical case other than the nominative (subject) or sometimes vocative. In English, this includes the objective case (him, whom) and the possessive (his).