skæv

Skæv is a Danish adjective and adverb used to describe something that is not straight or level, or that is bent, crooked, or uneven. It is applied to physical objects, such as et skævt bord (a skewed table), as well as to more abstract things, like en skæv vinkel or en skæv idé, where it signals irregularity, deviation from expectation, or bias. The adverbial form is skævt, as in bordet står skævt.

Etymology and related forms: the word originates from the Danish verb skæve, meaning to bend or tilt. The noun skævhed denotes skewness, bias, or irregularity, and is used to refer to the quality of not being straight or fair.

Slang usage: in informal Danish, skæv can also mean intoxicated or under the influence, roughly equivalent to “tipsy” or “high” in English. This sense is common among younger speakers and appears in casual speech, sometimes describing a person or their mood.

Usage notes: in standard language, skæv often conveys both literal deviation and metaphorical irregularity or unfairness. Context determines whether it refers to physical misalignment, a nonconforming idea, or a social perception. The word has a range of nuances from neutral to informally evaluative, depending on how it is used.