twist

1 of 2

verb

ˈtwist 

twisted; twisting; twists

transitive verb

1

a

: to unite by winding

twisting strands together

b

: to make by twisting strands together

twist thread from yarn

c

: to mingle by interlacing

2

a

: twine, coil

twisted the scarf around her neck

b

: to bend or turn (something) in order to change its shape

She twisted the balloons into the shapes of different animals.

3

a

: to wring or wrench so as to break, dislocate, or distort

twisted a small branch off the tree

The car was a heap of twisted metal.

especially : sprain

twisted my ankle

b

: to alter the meaning of : distort, pervert

twisted the facts

He twisted my words and made it sound like I was saying something I wasn't.

c

: contort

twisted his face into a grin

d

: to pull off, turn, or break by torsion

twist the nut off the bolt

e

: to cause to move or change position with a turning motion

twisted her chair to face the fire

twisting the dial

f

: to form into a spiral shape

g

: to cause to take on moral, mental, or emotional deformity

celebrity has twisted their sense of humility

h

: to make (one's way) in a winding or circuitous manner to a destination or objective

intransitive verb

1

: to follow a winding course : snake

Be careful, the road twists up ahead.

2

a

: to turn or change shape under torsion

b

: to assume a spiral shape

c

: squirm, writhe

a child twisting in her seat

d

: to dance the twist

3

of a ball : to rotate while taking a curving path or direction

4

: turn sense 3a

twisted around to see behind him

5

: to wrap or wind

ivy twisting up the column

twist

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act of twisting : the state of being twisted

a simple twist of the wrist

b

: a dance performed with strenuous gyrations especially of the hips

c

: the spin given the ball in any of various games

d

: a spiral turn or curve

e(1)

: torque or torsional stress applied to a body (such as a rod or shaft)

The nut needed a hard twist to come off.

(2)

: torsional strain

(3)

: the angle through which a thing is twisted

2

a

: a turning off a straight course

The road had many twists and turns.

b

: eccentricity, idiosyncrasy

… I had that gambling twist in me …

—Jack London

c

: a distortion of meaning or sense

3

a

: an unexpected turn or development

The situation had taken a twist.

… weird twists of fate …

—W. L. Shirer

b

: a clever device : trick

… questions demanding special twists of thinking …

—New Yorker

c

: a variant approach or method : gimmick

… a kind of twist on the old triangle theme …

—Dave Fedo

4

: something formed by twisting or winding: such as

a

: a strip of citrus peel used to flavor a drink

b

: a baked piece of twisted dough

c

: a thread, yarn, or cord formed by twisting two or more strands together

d

: a strong tightly twisted sewing silk

e

: tobacco leaves twisted into a thick roll

5

: a front or back dive in which the diver twists sideways a half or full turn before entering the water

twisty

ˈtwi-stē 

adjective

Phrases

twist in the wind

: to be left to face a difficult situation without support or help

twist one's arm

: to bring strong pressure to bear on one

I didn't want to do it but he twisted my arm.

Synonyms of twist

Verb

• distort
• misrepresent

Noun

• twisting
• tug

Examples of twist in a Sentence

Verb

The toy can be twisted into different shapes.

She twisted balloons into the shapes of different animals.

The antenna was twisted out of shape.

The car was a heap of twisted metal after the accident.

He twists his lip into an odd expression when he's thinking.

twist the dials on the radio

The bottle cap twists off.

Noun

a simple twist of the wrist

The jar should open with a twist of the lid.

The road has some nasty twists.

The coastal road had many twists and turns.

It was a film noir with some clever twists.

In an unusual twist, the police arrested one of their own.

They were brought together by a strange twist of fate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Land of Spooks is a phantasmagorical blend of twisting gothic spires, impossible land formations, and disconcerting expressionist proportions. —Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025

These waves twist the sun's magnetic field lines like a corkscrew, but the motion is too subtle to spot directly in images, scientists say. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Noun

How these developments factor into the midterms remains to be seen, with more than 365 days until the election and more twists that could shape the race likely. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

For their latest collaboration, the duo is bringing a contemporary twist to two traditional prep icons – the four-eyelet moc and the classic boat shoe. —Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch twisten, from twist twine, discord, quarrel; akin to Old English -twist (in candeltwist candlesnuffers, mæsttwist twin support for a mast), Middle English twisten to be forked, Middle High German zwist quarrel, Old English twi- twi-

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing twist

• French twist
• get one's knickers in a twist
• round the twist
• the twist
• twist and turn
• twist drill
• twist someone's arm
• twist someone's words
• twist tie
• twist/turn the knife (in the wound)

Rhymes for twist

• cist
• cyst
• fist
• gist
• grist
• hissed
• kissed
• kist
• list
• missed
• mist
• schist

Kids Definition

twist

1 of 2 verb

ˈtwist 

1

: to unite by winding one thread, strand, or wire around another

2

: twine entry 2 sense 2

3

a

: to turn so as to sprain or hurt

twisted my ankle

b

: to change the meaning of

twisted the facts

c

: to pull off, rotate, or break by a turning force

twisted a small branch off the tree

4

: to follow a winding course

twist

2 of 2 noun

1

: a thread, yarn, or cord made by twisting two or more strands together

2

: an act of twisting : the state of being twisted

3

: a spiral turn or curve

4

: a strong personal tendency : bent

5

: a changing of meaning

6

: something (as a plan of action) that is both surprising and strange