distort
Distort (verb) means to twist something out of its normal shape. Example: “The heat began to distort the plastic frame.”
How to use distort
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo warp something's shape, or twist the truth so it becomes misleading.
Word forms
more distort comparative, distorted past tense, distorts singular, most distort superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The heat began to _____ the plastic frame.
Etymology
From Latin distortum, the past participle of distorquēre, "to twist" or "to torture" — combining dis- ("apart") with torquēre ("to twist"), the same root that gives us torque and torture.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “distort” mean?
The word “distort” means to twist something out of its normal shape. In plain terms, to warp something's shape, or twist the truth so it becomes misleading.
How do you pronounce “distort”?
“Distort” is pronounced dihs-TAWT (/dɪsˈtoɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “distort” in a sentence?
Here is “distort” used in a sentence: “The heat began to distort the plastic frame.”
What part of speech is “distort”?
“Distort” is a verb.
Where does the word “distort” come from?
The word “distort” comes from Latin. From Latin distortum, the past participle of distorquēre, "to twist" or "to torture" — combining dis- ("apart") with torquēre ("to twist"), the same root that gives us torque and torture.
Is “distort” a common word?
“Distort” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “distort” have?
“Distort” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to twist something out of its normal shape.