twist meaning and definition

TWIST noun

Definition of twist (noun)

1. an unforeseen development
   • "events suddenly took an awkward turn"
   • synonyms: turn, turn of events
2. an interpretation of a text or action
   • "they put an unsympathetic construction on his conduct"
   • synonyms: construction
3. any clever maneuver
   • "he would stoop to any device to win a point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions gimmick for greedy businessmen"
   • synonyms: device, gimmick
4. the act of rotating rapidly
   • "he gave the crank a spin"; "it broke off after much twisting"
   • synonyms: spin, twirl, twisting, whirl
5. a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments
   • "the wrench to his knee occurred as he fell"; "he was sidelined with a hamstring pull"
   • synonyms: pull, wrench
6. a sharp bend in a line produced when a line having a loop is pulled tight
   • synonyms: kink, twirl
7. a circular segment of a curve
   • "a bend in the road"; "a crook in the path"
   • synonyms: bend, crook, turn
8. a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind resulting when the current of a fluid doubles back on itself
   • synonyms: eddy
9. a jerky pulling movement
   • synonyms: wrench
10. a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
    • synonyms: braid, plait, tress
11. social dancing in which couples vigorously twist their hips and arms in time to the music; was popular in the 1960s
    • "they liked to dance the twist"
12. the act of winding or twisting
    • "he put the key in the old clock and gave it a good wind"
    • synonyms: wind, winding
13. turning or twisting around (in place)
    • "with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room"
    • synonyms: turn

TWIST verb

Definition of twist (verb)

1. to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
   • "The prisoner writhed in discomfort"; "The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace"
   • synonyms: squirm, worm, wrestle, wriggle, writhe
2. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
   • "bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the strong man could turn an iron bar"
   • synonyms: bend, deform, flex, turn
   • antonym: unbend
3. turn in the opposite direction
   • "twist one's head"
4. form into a spiral shape
   • "The cord is all twisted"
   • synonyms: distort, twine
   • antonym: untwist
5. form into twists
   • "Twist the strips of dough"
6. extend in curves and turns
   • "The road winds around the lake"; "the path twisted through the forest"
   • synonyms: curve, wind
7. do the twist
8. twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
   • "wrench a window off its hinges"; "wrench oneself free from somebody's grip"; "a deep sigh was wrenched from his chest"
   • synonyms: wrench
9. practice sophistry; change the meaning of or be vague about in order to mislead or deceive
   • "Don't twist my words"
   • synonyms: convolute, pervert, sophisticate, twist around
10. twist suddenly so as to sprain
    • "wrench one's ankle"; "The wrestler twisted his shoulder"; "the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell"; "I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days"
    • synonyms: rick, sprain, turn, wrench, wrick