Oblique vs. Slant — What's the Difference?

Oblique angles in geometry are those that are not perpendicular or right angles, indicating a deviation from a straight or right angle towards a slanted position. In typography, an oblique font style is a slanted version of a font, designed to give emphasis or distinction. Slant, on the other hand, refers to the degree of slope or tilt of a line or surface, often used to describe natural or man-made slopes, handwriting styles, or general attitudes in writing or perspective.

The term oblique is often associated with precision and is used in contexts requiring specific descriptions of angles or orientations, such as in mathematics, art, and design. It suggests a deliberate deviation from the norm or standard, implying a designed or intentional angle. Slant, however, is more versatile, applying to both physical slopes and metaphorical biases or viewpoints, indicating a less formal and more general directionality or inclination.

In physical terms, an oblique muscle or structure in the body, such as the oblique abdominal muscles, refers to muscles that run at an angle to the standard anatomical axes, providing support and enabling rotation. A slant in physical contexts might refer to the slope of a hill, the angle of a roof, or the direction of writing on a page, emphasizing the idea of a lean or tilt from the vertical or horizontal.

In language and journalism, a slant means a particular point of view or bias, especially in the way a story is presented, which can influence the reader's perception. This is distinct from the more neutral or structural implication of oblique, which, outside of typography, rarely conveys bias or perspective.

The choice between oblique and slant often depends on the context and the precision needed in describing an angle, slope, or perspective. While both terms share similarities in denoting angles away from the perpendicular or horizontal, oblique often carries a sense of specificity and design, whereas slant emphasizes directionality and can also imply bias or a less formal inclination.