Pronunciation: /əˈskæns/

Definitions of askance

adverb with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval

Example Sentences

A1 She looked askance at the strange food on her plate.

A2 The teacher glanced askance at the student who was talking during the lesson.

B1 The manager viewed the new employee askance, unsure if they would be a good fit for the team.

B2 The politician was met with askance looks from the crowd as he tried to explain his controversial decision.

C1 The artist's avant-garde work was initially met with askance reviews, but eventually gained recognition for its innovation.

C2 The CEO regarded the proposal askance, skeptical of its potential impact on the company's bottom line.

preposition with a look of suspicion or disapproval

Example Sentences

A1 She looked askance at the strange man standing in the corner.

A2 The cat eyed the mouse askance before pouncing on it.

B1 The teacher glanced askance at the student who was talking during the lesson.

B2 The politician viewed the opposition's proposal askance, questioning its feasibility.

C1 The CEO regarded the new business strategy askance, unsure of its potential success.

C2 The artist observed the world around him askance, seeking inspiration for his next masterpiece.

Examples of askance in a Sentence

formal She looked at the proposal askance, unsure of its validity.

informal He always looks at new technology askance, preferring the old ways.

slang The group of friends eyed the newcomer askance, wondering what he was up to.

figurative The teacher raised her eyebrow askance at the student's excuse for not completing the assignment.

Grammatical Forms of askance

past tense

askanced

plural

askances

comparative

more askance

superlative

most askance

present tense

askances

future tense

will askance

perfect tense

have askanced

continuous tense

is askancing

singular

askance

positive degree

askance

infinitive

to askance

gerund

askancing

participle

askanced

Origin and Evolution of askance

First Known Use: 1540 year
Language of Origin: Middle English, Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'askance' originated from the Middle English word 'askance' or 'askaunce', which came from the Old French word 'esconce' meaning 'suspicion' or 'distrust'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a look of suspicion or disapproval, 'askance' has evolved to also mean a sideways or oblique glance or look.