tilt

/tɪlt/ (bre, ipa) · /tɪlt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtilt/ (ame, mw)

tilt — verb

1. to shift something into a position where one part sits higher than the rest, or

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to shift something into a position where one part sits higher than the rest, or for something to come to rest in such a sloping state — for example, tilting your head to see past an obstacle, or a boat listing as people move across the deck.

例句

Nora tilted her head to get a better look at the painting.

transitive: tilt + body part (head) for a purpose

The old wooden chair tilted dangerously when Kabir sat down on it.

intransitive: object (chair) tilts on its own under weight

同義詞
  • lean

    broader term — can describe any deviation from vertical, not necessarily with one end higher

  • slant

    typically describes a surface or line rather than a movement or action

  • tip

    suggests the top part moves forward or sideways; often implies the object may fall

反義詞
  • level

    to make or become flat and even, with no side higher than another

  • straighten

    to return something to an upright or proper position

文法句型

tilt + object (a body part or object)

tilt (intransitive) — subject leans or slopes

用法筆記

Often used with a body part (head, chin, face) as the direct object in the transitive pattern. In the intransitive pattern, the subject is typically an object, vehicle, or piece of furniture that is not securely balanced.

常見錯誤

❌She tilted the chair at the table.
✅She tilted the chair back to reach the top shelf.
💡'tilt' means to lean or slope, not simply to move or place something somewhere.
❌The picture tilts on the wall.
✅The picture is tilted on the wall.
💡When describing a static slanted position, the adjective 'tilted' (or 'hanging crookedly') is more natural than the simple present verb.

2. to show a preference for or move slowly in the direction of a particular opinion

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to show a preference for or move slowly in the direction of a particular opinion, choice, or side — for example, a company tilting toward a new policy, or public opinion tilting in favor of a candidate.

例句

Public opinion appears to be tilting toward stricter rules on data privacy.

intransitive + toward: opinion shifts in a direction

Sade is tilting toward accepting the job offer rather than staying at her current firm.

同義詞
  • lean toward

    more conversational and slightly softer in tone

  • incline toward

    more formal; common in academic or legal writing

  • favor

    more decisive; 'tilt toward' suggests a slight or gradual shift, while 'favor' implies a clearer preference

反義詞
  • oppose

    to be against something, the opposite of leaning toward it

文法句型

tilt + toward/towards + opinion/side/choice

用法筆記

This sense is usually intransitive and followed by toward, towards, or to. In rare transitive use (e.g., 'tilt the balance'), the object is an abstract noun like balance, scales, or outcome. Distinguish from sense 1 (SLOPE / LEAN): sense 2 has no physical sloping — the 'movement' is purely figurative.

常見錯誤

❌I tilt for Italian food.
✅I tilt toward Italian food when choosing a restaurant.
💡Use 'toward' (not 'for') after 'tilt' in this figurative sense.
❌The voters tilted the candidate.
✅The voters tilted toward the candidate.
💡In the opinion sense, 'tilt' is intransitive and needs a preposition.

tilt — noun