1. Not straight or direct: This is the most common meaning of oblique. It describes something that is slanted, angled, or indirect.
* Example: The sun cast an *oblique* shadow on the wall.
* Synonyms: slanted, angled, diagonal, indirect, slanting
2. Not straightforward or explicit: This meaning applies to communication or behavior. An oblique comment or action is not direct or clear.
* Example: Her answer was *oblique*, leaving me unsure of her true feelings.
* Synonyms: indirect, evasive, veiled, ambiguous, roundabout
3. In grammar, an oblique case: This refers to a grammatical case that indicates a grammatical function other than the subject or direct object. For example, in Latin, the accusative, dative, and ablative cases are considered oblique.
* Example: The word "him" is in the *oblique* case.
It's important to note that the meaning of "oblique" can vary depending on the context. Consider the surrounding words and the overall meaning of the sentence to determine which definition applies.