Lopsided

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈlɒp.saɪ.dəd/

Definitions

1. Marked by a lack of symmetry, resulting in an imbalance that can appear in shape or form
2. Exhibiting a skewed disposition where one side is notably more dominant or heavier than the opposite side
3. Having an uneven or unbalanced appearance where one side differs significantly from the other

Etymology: "Lopsided" is a plain compound of two English words, and its history is mostly a matter of meaning. The first part, "lop," originally meant to hang loosely or droop, and it is related to the idea of something hanging down unevenly. Put that together with "side," and the picture is of a thing that sags or dips more on one side than the other, like a badly loaded cart or a sagging shelf. The ending "-ed" marks the word as an adjective describing something that has that drooping quality. The sense of uneven weight or hanging has since broadened from the literal sag of an object to any lack of balance or symmetry, so a lopsided grin or a lopsided election result carries the same underlying image of one side pulling further down than the other.

Synonyms: uneven, asymmetrical, unbalanced, skewed, off-kilter

Antonyms: balanced, even, symmetrical, equitable, uniform