English Reference

Word

winding

Phoneticswind·ing, stress on the first syllable

/ˈwaɪndɪŋ/

Definitions

01twisting or curving

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. having many curves and turns rather than being straight.

adj. following a twisting or sinuous course; characterized by multiple bends or turns.

“The car drove slowly up the winding mountain road.”

“The hikers followed a winding trail through the dense forest, eventually emerging at a clearing that overlooked the valley below.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02indirect speech

C1 · Advanced Literary

adj. describing a way of speaking or writing that is long and does not get to the point.

adj. of speech or writing: characterized by a lack of directness; rambling or roundabout in delivery.

“He gave a long, winding explanation that didn't really answer my question.”

“The author's winding prose, while beautiful, often obscured the central theme of the narrative for less patient readers.”

Synonyms

ramblingroundaboutcircuitous

Antonyms

03a turn or bend

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a single turn or bend in a road, river, or path.

n. a single curve, bend, or turn in a sinuous object or path.

“We could see the windings of the river from the top of the hill.”

“The ancient map meticulously detailed every winding of the coastline, providing vital information for the approaching fleet.”

Synonyms

04coiled material

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technology Technical

n. something that is wrapped or twisted around something else, like wire in a motor.

n. a length of something, such as wire or rope, that is coiled or wrapped around a core or central object.

“The mechanic checked the copper winding inside the electric motor.”

“The transformer failed because the protective insulation on the primary winding had degraded over decades of continuous use.”

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“The judge also said he was part of a group of boys “winding each other up to do stupid things to teachers”.”
The Guardian 3 Sept 2026
“Photograph: Matthias Schräder/AP It has been a winding road for the FAI to get to this point.”
The Guardian 25 Sept 2026

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“act of exposing something to the wind, airing, ventilating; act of winnowing (?)”), from winden, wynden (“to expose (something) to the air or wind, ventilate; to cause (someone) to be out of breath; to winnow (wheat); of an animal: to catch the scent of (someone or something)”) + -ing, -inge (suffix forming gerund nouns, and the present participle forms of verbs). The adjective is derived from the verb. The English word is analysable as wind (“to blow air through (a wind instrument or horn) to make a sound; to cause (someone) to become breathless; to winnow (food grain), etc.”) + -ing (suffix forming present participial adjectives and verbs, and nouns denoting an action or the embodiment of an action).

The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“directional change, curve, turn; bend of the leg at the knee; meandering course of a river; act of turning and twisting; twisting of things (especially thread) together; wrapping of a cloth around something; wattling of a structure; wattle(s); ornamentation with interwoven patterns; hoisting of something”) [and other forms], and then partly: * from winden, wynden (“to go, move; to move forcefully or suddenly; to direct, guide, lead; to go along a meandering or twisting course; to move in a circular pattern, revolve, turn; to move restlessly, toss and turn; to wriggle free; to move with a turning or twisting motion, bend, turn, twist; to form or mould (something) in one’s hands; to mix together; to cover; to clothe, dress; to wrap (a baby, a corpse, etc.); to encircle, surround; to bind; to interlace; to winch; (figurative) to conceal, disguise; to embroil, involve”) + -ing, -inge (suffix forming gerund nouns, and the present participle forms of verbs).; and from Old English windung (“woven object”), from windan (“to twist, wind; to circle, curl, eddy, spiral”) (from Proto-Germanic windaną (“to wind; to wrap”), from Proto-Indo-European *wendʰ- (“to turn; to wind”)) + -ung (suffix forming nouns denoting a verbal action or something involved in a verbal action). The adjective is derived from the verb. The English word is analysable as wind (“to turn coils of (a cord, etc.) around something; to encircle, enfold, entwist, wrap; to travel in a way that is not straight”) + -ing (suffix forming present participial adjectives and verbs, and nouns denoting an action or the embodiment of an action).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domains

AgricultureMusicNautical

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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