# twisty

/ˈtwɪsti/ (US) · /twˈɪsti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/twisty
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. winding or curving

adjective · CEFR B1

having many bends or turns rather than being straight.

For teachers: characterised by multiple curves, bends, or windings in physical form.

- The bus drove slowly along the twisty mountain road.
- The cyclists struggled to maintain their speed as they navigated the twisty descent through the valley.

### 2. complicated plot

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

having many unexpected changes or surprises in a story.

For teachers: possessing a complex or convoluted narrative structure with frequent plot twists.

- I loved the movie, but the plot was so twisty that I got a bit confused.
- Critics praised the novel for its twisty narrative, though some readers found the final revelation somewhat implausible.

### 3. computing interface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a small triangle or icon on a screen that you click to show or hide information.

For teachers: a graphical user interface element, often a small arrow, that rotates to expand or collapse a section of content.

- Click the small twisty next to the folder name to see the files inside.
- The developer adjusted the CSS to ensure the twisty rotated smoothly when the user toggled the sidebar menu.

### 4. hair style

noun · CEFR B2

a small section of hair that has been twisted together.

For teachers: a strand or section of hair formed into a spiral or braid-like shape by twisting.

- She spent the afternoon putting her hair into small, neat twisties.
- The stylist recommended using a light gel to help the twisties hold their shape throughout the day.

## Examples

- The mountain road is very twisty and narrow.
- We spent hours walking through the twisty alleys of the old city before finding the main square.
- The author's latest novel features a twisty plot that keeps the reader guessing about the true motives of the protagonist until the final chapter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.