kilter

Kilter is a noun meaning a state of proper order, balance, or functioning. It is most often used in the phrase in kilter to describe something that is operating correctly or is in good condition. The opposite, out of kilter, denotes a deviation from the expected state—things that are misaligned, faulty, or disrupted. An adjectival form, off-kilter, is common as well and can indicate not only misalignment but also eccentricity or unusual appearance.

Usage notes: The term is informal and somewhat regional, with stronger usage in British English. It can apply to physical objects—machinery, equipment, or structures—as well as to non-physical domains such as schedules, plans, systems, or people’s mental or emotional state. In many contexts, in kilter suggests restored order or normal operation after a prior problem; out of kilter suggests a current problem or instability.

Etymology: The origin is not definitively established. The phrase has appeared in English since the late 19th century, and the word kilter is believed to derive from dialectal forms related to tilt, balance, or condition, though precise roots are uncertain.