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Definition of kilter

kilter

/ˈkɪl.tɚ/
kil · ter
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kilter Lexical Profile

kilter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A state of good working order, proper balance, or harmonious adjustment (used almost exclusively in the phrases 'out of kilter' or 'in kilter').

Example

"The sudden shift in interest rates threw the entire housing market out of kilter."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kilter
Antonyms
View all antonyms for kilter

Word Nuance & Usage

In contemporary English, 'kilter' is a fossil word that appears almost exclusively in the prepositional idioms 'out of kilter' (meaning out of balance or malfunctioning) and, less commonly, 'in kilter'.

• Rhymes for kilter

• Nearby Words

kilowatt
kilt
kilted
kilter
kimchi
kimono
kin

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kilter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 1, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kilter
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