slant
B2Neutral to formal; the verb and noun are common in writing and speech.
Definition
Meaning
to lean at an angle; a sloping line, surface, or position.
to present information in a biased or particular way; a particular point of view or bias.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word spans literal/physical meaning (angle) and figurative meaning (bias). The figurative use is common in media and critical discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Slant' as a potentially offensive term for people of East Asian descent is considered dated and offensive in both varieties, but the primary meanings are identical.
Connotations
In critical analysis, 'slant' implies a deliberate or inherent bias. Literally, it is neutral (e.g., a slanting roof).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for its core meanings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP V (e.g., The wall slants.)NP V PP (e.g., She slanted the report in their favour.)NP V NP PP (e.g., They slanted the article towards a younger audience.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a slant”
- “a slant on something”
- “slant the odds”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing ('slant a campaign towards millennials') and reporting ('the financial report had a positive slant').
Academic
Common in media studies and critical analysis ('a feminist slant on the text', 'the historical slant of the narrative').
Everyday
Describing physical objects ('the picture hangs on a slant') or expressing a biased view ('his story has a definite slant').
Technical
In geometry, photography (slant range), and linguistics (slant rhyme).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old floorboards slant noticeably towards the fireplace.
- The journalist was accused of slanting the piece to favour the government.
American English
- The sunlight slanted through the blinds in the morning.
- Critics say the network slants its coverage to the left.
adverb
British English
- He wore his hat slant.
- The picture was hanging slant.
American English
- She cut the fabric slant.
- The signpost stood slant after the storm.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The tree slants because of the strong wind.
- Write your name without a slant.
- The roof has a steep slant for the snow to slide off.
- His handwriting has a funny slant to it.
- The article had a clear commercial slant, promoting the new product.
- She slanted the mirror to get a better view.
- The documentary provides a fresh slant on the events leading to the war.
- We need to consider the data without any ideological slant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SLANTing 'lant' as a 'plant' growing at an ANGLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
BIAS IS A SLOPE / A PARTICULAR ANGLE IS A PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the noun 'slant' (bias) as 'уклон' when the context is purely ideological; use 'предвзятость', 'смещение'. 'Уклон' is better for physical slope.
- The verb 'to slant' (present info) is not 'наклонять', but 'искажать', 'подавать в определённом свете'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'slant' as a direct synonym for 'lie' (it implies bias, not necessarily falsehood).
- Confusing 'slant' (n.) with 'slope' (n.) – 'slant' often implies a sharper, more noticeable angle.
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'a novel with a feminist slant', what does 'slant' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. It simply means a particular perspective or emphasis. It becomes negative when it implies unfair distortion (e.g., 'a misleading slant').
'Slant' suggests a more oblique, sometimes sharper angle. 'Slope' is more general for any upward/downward gradient. 'Incline' often implies a deliberate or measured upward slope.
Yes, commonly: 'the slant of the roof', 'the slant of his handwriting'.
It is considered a dated ethnic slur and should be avoided entirely. The primary safe uses are for angles and figurative biases.
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