Twists: meaning, definitions and examples

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twists

 

[twษชsts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in storytelling

A change in the direction or outcome of a story, typically a surprising or unexpected one.

Synonyms

curve, surprise, turn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
twists

Good for describing complex or unexpected developments in stories, plots, or events.

  • The movie had so many twists that I couldn't predict the ending
  • Life is full of unexpected twists
turn

Commonly applied to the act of changing direction, either in movement or metaphorically, such as in life situations.

  • Take the next turn on the right
  • After losing his job, his life took an unexpected turn
curve

Best used for describing a smooth, rounded, and continuous bending line or surface, often in geometry, roads, or physical shapes.

  • The road ahead takes a sharp curve to the left
  • The graph showed a steady upward curve
surprise

Used for talking about an unexpected event or thing, which can be either positive or negative.

  • She planned a surprise party for his birthday
  • It was a surprise to see him at the event

Examples of usage

  • The plot twists in the movie kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
  • The author is known for her clever twists in the detective novels.
Context #2 | Verb

in movement

To turn or rotate something in a spiral shape.

Synonyms

rotate, spin, twirl.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
twists

Best used when describing something being turned in multiple directions or when describing a plot with multiple unexpected changes.

  • She twists the cap off the bottle.
  • The movie has many twists and turns.
rotate

Used primarily in technical or formal contexts when discussing the movement of objects around an axis.

  • The Earth rotates around its axis.
  • You should rotate the tires every 6,000 miles.
spin

Often used to describe something turning rapidly around a central point, like a dancer or a top.

  • The dancer spins gracefully.
  • The wheel began to spin faster and faster.
twirl

Commonly used to describe smooth, elegant circular movements, often in the context of dance or playful actions.

  • She twirls her hair absentmindedly.
  • The children twirl around in the park.

Examples of usage

  • She twisted the lid off the jar.
  • He twisted the key in the lock to open the door.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'twist' comes from the Old English 'twistian,' which means to turn or wind in a spiral.
  • It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'twistwaz,' which relates to twisting or turning something.
  • Used in different forms, such as 'twisted,' 'twisting,' and even as a part of compound words like 'twist-off' for caps.

Literature

  • In storytelling, a twist often alters the course of the narrative dramatically, challenging readersโ€™ expectations.
  • Famous examples include surprise endings in novels like 'Gone Girl' or movies such as 'The Sixth Sense' that leave audiences reeling.
  • Twists can provoke discussions about themes, character motivations, and the moral implications of the story.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance can occur when a twist contradicts a personโ€™s beliefs, creating surprise and reevaluation of the situation.
  • Twists in stories can enhance emotional engagement by breaking the monotony and shocking the audience.
  • Psychologically, the brain enjoys resolving mysteries, making twists a powerful tool in storytelling to stimulate curiosity.

Pop Culture

  • Plot twists are a popular trope in TV shows, especially in thrillers and dramas like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Breaking Bad.'
  • In the realm of music, unexpected twists in lyrics or melodies can transform a song from ordinary to memorable.
  • Twists are often used in comedy to enhance humor, catching the audience off guard and eliciting surprise laughter.

Science

  • In physics, 'twisted' systems can refer to structures that change shape under stress, like springs or twisted ropes.
  • The concept of 'twists' is also significant in genetics, particularly in how DNA strands coil and store information.
  • In mathematics, twists apply to geometric shapes and can describe how one shape can be rotated into another.

Translations

Translations of the word "twists" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น torรงรตes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‹เคกเคผ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Drehungen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ putaran

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะฒะพั€ะพั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ skrฤ™ty

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใญใ˜ใ‚Œ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tours

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ giros

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท dรถnรผลŸler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋น„ํ‹€๋ฆผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุชูˆุงุกุงุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zatรกฤky

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zรกkruty

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‰ญๆ›ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zasuki

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ snรบningar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑาฑั€ั‹ะปั‹ัั‚ะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ‘แƒ แƒฃแƒœแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dรถnรผลŸlษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ giros

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,601, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.