twist

Pronunciation: /twɪst/

Definition of twist

[with object]

1form into a bent, curling, or distorted shape:a strip of metal is twisted to form a hollow tube her pretty features twisted into a fearsome expression
[with object and adverbial] form (something) into a particular shape by taking hold of one or both ends and turning them:she twisted her handkerchief into a knot
[with object and adverbial] turn or bend into a specified position or in a specified direction:he grabbed the man and twisted his arm behind his back
(twist something off) remove something by pulling and rotating it:beetroot can be stored once the leaves have been twisted off
[no object] move one’s body so that the shoulders and hips are facing in different directions:she twisted in her seat to look at the buildings
[no object, with adverbial] move in a wriggling or writhing fashion:he twisted himself free
injure (a joint) by wrenching it:he twisted his ankle trying to avoid his opponent’s lunge
distort or misrepresent the meaning of (words):he twisted my words to make it seem that I’d claimed she was a drug addict

2cause to rotate around a stationary point; turn:she twisted her ring round and round on her finger
[with object and adverbial] wind around or through something:she twisted a lock of hair around her finger
move or cause to move around each other; interlace: [with object]:she twisted her hands together nervously the machine twists together strands to make a double yarn
make (something) by interlacing or winding strands together: he could twist a rope strong enough to hold a mule
[no object] take or have a winding course:the railway lines twist and turn round the hills

1an act of twisting something around a stationary point:the taps needed a single twist to turn them on
an act of turning one’s body or part of one’s body:with a sudden twist, she got away from him
(the twist) a dance with a twisting movement of the body, popular in the 1960s: lets do the twist
[mass noun] the extent of twisting of a rod or other object.
[mass noun] force producing twisting; torque.
[mass noun] forward motion combined with rotation about an axis.
the rifling in the bore of a gun:barrels with a 1:24 inch twist

2a thing with a spiral shape:a barley sugar twist
British a paper packet with twisted ends: he handed her a twist of paper
a small quantity of tobacco, sugar, salt, or a similar substance, wrapped in such a packet: he bought a packet of crisps with a blue twist of salt in them
a curled piece of lemon peel used to flavour a drink: she drank vodka and tonic with a twist of lemon

3a distorted shape:he had a cruel twist to his mouth
an unusual feature of a person’s personality, typically an unhealthy one: her lack of considerateness is a personality twist which could bring her problems
British informal a swindle.

4a point at which something turns or bends:the car negotiated the twists and turns of the mountain road
an unexpected development of events:it was soon time for the next twist of fate in his extraordinary career
a new treatment or outlook; a variation:she takes conventional subjects and gives them a twist

5 [mass noun] a fine strong thread consisting of twisted strands of cotton or silk.

Phrases

round the twist: British informal out of one’s mind; crazy:the games she plays drive me round the twist
twist someone's arm: informal pressurize someone into doing something that they are reluctant to do: I’ve twisted his arm and he’ll get you some tickets
twist in the wind: be left in a state of suspense or uncertainty: rather than giving clear public guidance, politicians let NATO commanders twist in the wind
twist someone around one's little finger: see little finger.
twists and turns: complicated dealings or circumstances:the twists and turns of her political career

Old English (as a noun), of Germanic origin; probably from the base of twin and twine. Current verb senses date from late Middle English

Definition of twist in the US English dictionary