twisted
UK: ˈtwɪstɪd | US: ˈtwɪstɪd
adj. 1. Bent or turned out of its natural shape; contorted.
adj. 2. Mentally or emotionally disturbed; warped.
adj. 3. (Of a story or situation) presented in an unconventional or distorted way.
The word "twisted" originates from the Old English twist, meaning "a rope or thread made by twisting fibers." The verb twist (to wind or turn) emerged in Middle English, influenced by Proto-Germanic twis- (to divide or separate). The suffix -ed marks it as a past participle, later used adjectivally to describe physical contortion, psychological distortion, or narrative complexity. The evolution reflects a literal-to-figurative shift: from rope-making to describing anything bent or perverted from its original state.
The twisted branches of the old tree looked eerie in the moonlight.
His twisted sense of humor often made others uncomfortable.
The film’s plot was so twisted that no one could predict the ending.
She carefully untangled the twisted wires behind the computer.
A twisted ankle forced him to withdraw from the race.