Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

wryneck

noun wry·neck \ ˈrī-ˌnek \

Definition of wryneck

1 : either of two Old World woodpeckers (Jynx torquilla or J. ruficollis) that differ from the typical woodpeckers in having soft tail feathers and a peculiar manner of writhing the neck
2 : torticollis

First Known Use of wryneck

1585

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

wryneck

noun wry·neck \ ˈrī-ˌnek \

medical Definition of wryneck

: torticollis

Learn More about wryneck

  1. See words that rhyme with wryneck Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wryneck

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wryneck? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

voracity

play

the quality or state of being insatiable

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

wryneck

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games