- 1[transitive] twist something (into something) to bend or turn something into a particular shape Twist the wire to form a circle. Her hair was twisted into a knot on top of her head.
- 2[transitive, intransitive] to bend or turn something into a shape or position that is not normal or natural; to be bent or turned in this way twist something (+ adv./prep.) He grabbed me and twisted my arm behind my back. (+ adv./prep.) Her face twisted in anger.
- 3[transitive, intransitive] to turn part of your body around while the rest stays still twist something (+ adv./prep.) He twisted his head around to look at her. (+ adv./prep.) She twisted in her chair when I called her name.
- 4[intransitive, transitive] to turn your body with quick, sharp movements and change direction often I twisted and turned to avoid being caught. + adv./prep. She tried unsuccessfully to twist free. twist something/yourself + adv./prep. He managed to twist himself around in the restricted space. turn with hand
- 5[transitive] twist something (+ adv./prep.) to turn something around in a circle with your hand Twist the knob to the left to open the door. Nervously I twisted the ring on my finger. of roads/rivers
- 6[intransitive] to bend and change direction often The road twists and turns along the coast. narrow twisting streets a twisting staircase ankle/wrist/knee
- 7[transitive] twist something to injure part of your body, especially your ankle, wrist, or knee, bending it in an awkward way She fell and twisted her ankle.
- 8[transitive] twist something (+ adv./prep.) to wind something around or through an object She twisted a scarf around her head. The telephone cable has gotten twisted (= wound around itself).
- 9[intransitive] twist (around something) to move or grow by winding around something A snake was twisting around his arm. facts
- 10[transitive] twist something to deliberately change the meaning of what someone has said, or to present facts in a particular way, in order to benefit yourself or harm someone else synonym misrepresent You always twist everything I say. The newspaper was accused of twisting the facts. threads
- 11[transitive] twist something (into something) to turn or wind threads, etc. together to make something longer or thicker They had twisted the sheets into a rope and escaped by climbing down it. Idioms
verb jump to other results
NAmE//twɪst//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they twist he / she / it twists
past simple twisted
-ing form twisting
to say or do something unkind deliberately; to make someone who is unhappy feel even more unhappy Marcia laughed as she twisted the knife still deeper.
to persuade or force someone to do something
to persuade someone to do anything that you want She has always been able to twist her parents around her little finger. Phrasal Verbstwist off
Check pronunciation: twist