English Explanatory Dictionary

catawampus

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Out of alignment, in disarray or disorder: crooked, askew.
adv
  1. Diagonally.
  2. Utterly.
noun
  1. A fierce imaginary animal, a bogeyman.
adj
  1. Fierce, destructive.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-catawampus.wav /ˌkætəˈwɑmpəs/ /ˈkætəˌwɑmpəs/

Word forms

catawampus more catawampus most catawampus catawampous catawamptious cattywampus cattywampous kittywampus kittywumpus caddywompus caliwampus caliwampous cankywampus catawampuses

Etymology

The first part may be related to cater-corner. The second part may be related to wampish (“wriggle, twist about like a fish”).

Synonyms

askew awry crooked off-kilter sigogglin skewampus skiwampus destructive fierce

Derived words

catawampusly
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