twist

To twist is defined as to wind two or more things around each other or together.

(verb)

An example of to twist is two colors of yarn being wound together.

Twist is defined as to turn around from one side to the other.

(verb)

An example of to twist is turning from the left to the right at the waist.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See twist in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
  1. to wreathe; twine
  2. to wind or coil (thread, rope, etc.) around something
  3. to encircle with a coil of
  4. to entwine or interweave in something else
  5. to make (one's or its way) by turning one way and then another
  6. 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
  7. to cause to become confused or mentally or emotionally disturbed
  8. to distort or pervert the meaning of
  9. to cause to turn around or rotate
  10. to break off by turning the end: often with off

Origin: 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
  10. a contortion, as of the face
  11. a wrench or sprain
  12. a turning aside; turn; bend
  13. a place at which something twists or turns: a twist in the road
  14. a personal tendency, esp. an eccentric one; quirk
  15. distortion or perversion, as of meaning
  16. an unexpected direction given to or taken by a situation
  17. a special or different meaning, method, or slant: a new twist to an old story
  18. ☆ a rock-and-roll dance characterized by movement of the arms and hips while standing in one place
  19. Slang a girl or woman

See twist in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb twist·ed, twist·ing, twists
verb, transitive
  1. a. To wind together (two or more threads, for example) so as to produce a single strand.
    b. To form in this manner: twist a length of rope from strands of hemp.
  2. To wind or coil (vines or rope, for example) about something.
  3. To interlock or interlace: twist flowers in one's hair.
  4. To make (one's way) in a tortuous manner: twisted my way through the briar patch.
  5. To turn so as to face another direction: twisted their heads around at the sound of the doorbell.
  6. To impart a spiral or coiling shape to, as by turning the ends in opposite directions: twisting wire into a loop.
  7. a. To turn or open by turning: twisted off the bottle cap.
    b. To pull, break, or snap by turning: twist off a dead branch.
  8. To wrench or sprain: twist one's wrist.
  9. To alter the normal aspect of; contort: twist one's mouth into a wry smile.
  10. To alter or distort the intended meaning of: The cross-examiner twisted the words of the witness. See Synonyms at distort.
  11. To alter or distort the mental, moral, or emotional character of: The trauma twisted the child's outlook.
verb, intransitive
  1. To be or become twisted.
  2. To move or progress in a winding course; meander: The river twisted toward the sea.
  3. To squirm; writhe: twist with pain.
  4. To rotate or revolve.
  5. To dance the twist.
  6. To move so as to face in another direction.
noun
  1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
    a. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
    b. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
    c. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
    d. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
  2. The act of twisting or the condition of being twisted; a spin, twirl, or rotation.
  3. Sports
    a. A complete rotation of the body around its vertical axis, as in diving and gymnastics.
    b. A spinning motion given to a ball when thrown or struck in a specific way.
  4. a. The state of being twisted into a spiral; torsional stress or strain.
    b. The degree or angle of torsional stress.
  5. a. A contortion or distortion of the body, especially the face.
    b. A distortion of meaning: gave my words a misleading twist.
  6. A sprain or wrench, as of an ankle.
  7. A change in direction; a turn: a sharp twist in the path.
  8. An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
  9. A personal inclination or eccentricity; a penchant or flaw: an odd twist to his character.
  10. A dance characterized by vigorous gyrations of the hips and arms.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English twisten, to squeeze, be divided

Origin: , from twist, a divided object, fork, rope

Origin: , from Old English -twist; see dwo- in Indo-European roots

.

Related Forms:

  • twistˌa·bilˈi·ty noun
  • twistˈa·ble adjective
  • twistˈing·ly adverb
  • twistˈy adjective

Learn more about twist

link/cite print suggestion box