kilter

IPA/ˈkɪltə(r)/
KK[kˈɪltɚ]IPA/ˈkɪltər/

kilter — noun

1. a state in which a machine, system, or process is not working the way it normall

1.nounC1
Definition

a state in which a machine, system, or process is not working the way it normally should, often because something has changed or broken.

Example

The air conditioner has been out of kilter ever since the storm last week.

out of kilter (machine not working properly)

Amira called a repair person because her refrigerator was completely out of kilter.

Common collocations
  • out of kilter
  • off kilter
  • throw ... out of kilter
  • go out of kilter
Synonyms
  • broken

    more general and common; 'kilter' specifically suggests something has shifted out of its normal state

  • malfunctioning

    more technical; 'out of kilter' is less formal and more idiomatic

Antonyms
  • in order

    describes something working correctly

  • working

    direct opposite — functioning normally

Grammar Patterns

out of / off + kilter

Usage Note

Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'out of kilter' or 'off kilter'. The verb 'throw' is a common collocation with 'out of kilter' to describe causing the malfunction.

Common Mistakes

My phone is kilter.
My phone is out of kilter.
'kilter' is never used alone; it must follow 'out of' or 'off'.

2. a state in which different parts of a situation, arrangement, or set of things a

2.nounC1
Definition

a state in which different parts of a situation, arrangement, or set of things are not in the correct proportion or alignment with each other, causing imbalance or disharmony.

Example

Indra felt that her work and home life were out of kilter after the promotion.

out of kilter (imbalance between two things)

The numbers in the quarterly report are out of kilter with the actual sales figures.

out of kilter with [something] (not matching)

Common collocations
  • out of kilter with
  • off kilter
  • feel out of kilter
  • look off kilter
Synonyms
  • misaligned

    more formal; 'out of kilter' is more idiomatic

  • imbalanced

    focuses on uneven distribution; 'kilter' implies a mismatch

  • off

    informal and shorter; 'off kilter' is more vivid

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

out of / off + kilter

out of kilter with + noun phrase

Usage Note

Both 'out of kilter' and 'off kilter' are used interchangeably for this more abstract sense. 'Off kilter' is slightly more common when describing visual/temporal misalignment rather than mechanical failure.

Common Mistakes

The schedule is kilter with the plan.
The schedule is out of kilter with the plan.
'kilter' always needs 'out of' or 'off' before it.
Idioms

out of kilter (also: off kilter)

idiom

not working correctly, not in proper condition, or not in the right balance — used about machines, systems, situations, and personal feelings.

After the power cut, the heating system was completely out of kilter and the office was freezing.

Christopher's daily routine felt off kilter after he started working the night shift.

out of kilter

idiom

Not working or happening in the usual correct way.

The printer is out of kilter and keeps jamming the paper.

Did the storm throw your internet connection out of kilter?

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all describe something not working properly. 'Broken' is the most general and common — it covers anything from a cracked phone screen to a dead car engine. 'Malfunctioning' is more technical and suggests an internal failure in a system or device, often used in manuals or reports. 'Out of order' is a fixed phrase typically found on signs and notices, implying a machine is temporarily unavailable for use. 'Out of kilter' adds a subtle nuance: it suggests something has shifted or fallen out of its normal state rather than being completely destroyed. For example, a watch that runs fast is out of kilter but not broken; a watch that has stopped entirely is broken.

broken ↗malfunctioning ↗out of order ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • out of kilter
  • off kilter
  • throw something out of kilter
  • go out of kilter
  • feel out of kilter

Prepositions

Etymology

Old English/ScotsEnglish

The origin of 'kilter' is uncertain, but it may come from an old English or Scottish word for 'order' or 'proper condition.' The word is first recorded in the 1600s and has survived almost entirely within the negative phrases 'out of kilter' and 'off kilter.' Its original positive use ('in kilter') has disappeared from modern English.