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lopsidedly

C2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /lˈɒpsaɪdˌɪdlɪ/

US

  • /lˈɑːpsaɪdˌɪdli/

Description

Imagine a crooked smile or a tower of blocks leaning too far to one side. That is the essence of doing something "lopsidedly." This adverb describes an action done in an uneven or unbalanced way. A picture frame hanging lopsidedly on the wall is not straight; it tilts to one side. You might see a pumpkin growing lopsidedly or a child walking lopsidedly after a tumble. It often adds a sense of awkwardness or charming imperfection to what it describes.

Think of a seesaw with one person much heavier than the other; that is how something moves lopsidedly. The word suggests a clear lack of balance. In a more abstract sense, someone might say the facts were presented lopsidedly, meaning the story was told in an unfair, one-sided way.

Examples

  1. 1

    Hanging object

    The picture frame hung lopsidedly on the wall.

  2. 2

    Facial expression

    She smiled lopsidedly, as if she was trying not to laugh.

  3. 3

    Baking problem

    The cake rose lopsidedly because the oven was too hot on one side.

  4. 4

    Vote result

    The vote went lopsidedly in favor of the new plan.

See also

adverbin an uneven or unbalanced way, especially with one side lower, larger, or heavier

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • smile lopsidedly
  • hang lopsidedly
  • sit lopsidedly
  • lean lopsidedly

Word family

Explore

  • asymmetry
  • imbalance

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • lopsidedlyadverb