twist Hear it!

twist Definition

twist (twist)

transitive verb

    1. to wind (two or more threads or strands) around one another, as by spinning
    2. to wind two or more threads or strands of (cotton, silk, etc.) around one another so as to produce thread or cord
    3. to produce (thread, cord, etc.) in this way
  2. to wreathe; twine
  3. to wind or coil (thread, rope, etc.) around something
  4. to encircle with a coil of
  5. to entwine or interweave in something else
  6. to make (one's or its way) by turning one way and then another
  7. to give spiral shape to by turning the ends in opposite directions
    1. to subject to torsion
    2. to put out of shape in this manner; wrench; sprain to twist one's ankle
    1. to contort or distort (the face, etc.)
    2. to cause to be malformed fingers twisted with arthritis
  10. to cause to become confused or mentally or emotionally disturbed
  11. to distort or pervert the meaning of
  12. to cause to turn around or rotate
  13. to break off by turning the end: often with off

Etymology: ME twisten < OE -twist, a rope (in mæst-twist, rope to stay a mast), akin to twain, twine, ON tvistra, to separate, Ger zwist, a quarrel < IE *duis-, apart < base *dwōu-, two

intransitive verb

  1. to undergo twisting and thus take on a spiral or coiled form the wire twists easily
  2. to spiral, coil, twine, etc. (around or about something)
  3. to revolve or rotate
  4. to turn to one side; change direction
  5. to turn one way and then another, as a path; wind; meander
  6. to squirm; writhe
  7. to move in a curved path, as a ball given a spinning motion
  8. ☆ to dance the twist

noun

  1. the number of turns given to a specified length of fiber, thread, cord, etc. along its axis
  2. a strong, closely twisted silk thread used for making buttonholes, etc.
  3. ☆ tobacco leaves twisted into the shape of a roll
  4. a loaf of bread or a roll made of one or more twisted pieces of dough
  5. a knot, etc. made by twisting
  6. a sliver of peel from a lemon, lime, etc. twisted and added to a drink for flavor
  7. rotation; spin, turn, twirl, etc.
  8. a spin given to a ball in throwing or striking it
  9. spiral movement along and around an axis
    1. the condition of being twisted in a spiral; torsional stress
    2. the degree of this; angle of torsion
  11. a contortion, as of the face
  12. a wrench or sprain
  13. a turning aside; turn; bend
  14. a place at which something twists or turns a twist in the road
  15. a personal tendency, esp. an eccentric one; quirk
  16. distortion or perversion, as of meaning
  17. an unexpected direction given to or taken by a situation
  18. a special or different meaning, method, or slant a new twist to an old story
  19. ☆ a rock-and-roll dance characterized by movement of the arms and hips while standing in one place
  20. Slang a girl or woman

twist Synonyms

twist

v.

wring, wrap, twine, twirl, turn, turn around, wrap around, intertwine, wind, coil, bend, curve, rotate, spiral, corkscrew, spin, wrench, sprain, contort, distort; see also bend 1, 2. See syn. study at bend.

twist Usage Examples

Object

  • ankle: In the last resort two sticks, if you twist an ankle, they will get you home.
  • throttle: You just twist the throttle and away you go, smoothly and quietly, at speeds of up to 25mph.
  • knob: With elaborate gestures, she makes a pretense of twisting the inconsequential knobs.

Converse of object

  • add: Season Mode adds a welcome twist to the tired championship option.

Adjective modifier

  • ironic: In an ironic twist, the actual bearer of the guns rears their head from the jungle.
  • unexpected: The writing is sharp and the plot full of unexpected twists and turns.
  • bizarre: It was a bit like Durham Miners Gala with a bizarre twist.
  • cruel: And just as you relax, it throws in a final cruel twist.
  • clever: He has a knack for making a simple, cute song more substantial by throwing in a clever, little twist or two.
  • surprising: With a surprising twist in the dragon's tale.

Modifies a noun

  • clasp: The purse shuts with a metal twist clasp and is lined inside with a smaller Grace Jones print.
  • ending: There is a final, and not entirely clear, twist ending.
  • grip: Battery powered with a twist on/off grip action, you can have soft glow light whenever you want.

Noun used with modifier

  • plot: The first plot twist is lifted directly from The Woman in White.

Preposition: in

  • tale: The hardest part of the whole process was probably in trying to work toward the twist in the tale at the end.
  • tail: The only difference is the twist in the tail -- none of them was going to St Ives.

Preposition: of

  • fate: By an odd twist of fate they both get hold of ROCK OUT VIP passes.
  • lemon: Add some zest to your six to eight glasses a day with a twist of lemon or lime.
  • wrist: Linear focusing spot to flood beam with a twist of the wrist.
  • throttle: Now the simple push of a button and twist of the throttle is all it takes to bring the CG's engine to life.
twist Quotes

I think we ought to let him hang there. Let him twist slowly, slowly in the wind.

—Ehrlichman,John

Learn then to dance, you that are princes born, And lawful lords of earthly creatures all; Imitate them, and thereof take no scorn, (For this new art to them is natural) And imitate the stars celestial. For when pale death your vital twist shall sever, Your better parts must dance with them forever.

—Davies, SirJohn