contortionist

American  

[kuhn-tawr-shuh-nist] / kənˈtɔr ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. a person who performs gymnastic feats involving contorted postures.

2. a person who practices contortion.

   a verbal contortionist.

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contortionist British  

/ kənˈtɔːʃənɪst /

noun

1. a performer who contorts his body for the entertainment of others

2. a person who twists or warps meaning or thoughts

   a verbal contortionist

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Other Word Forms

• contortionistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of contortionist

First recorded in 1855–60; contortion + -ist

Explanation

A contortionist is an extremely flexible performer who can bend her body into interesting and odd positions. If you go to the circus, you may get to see contortionists. Contortionists are acrobats who specialize in bending and twisting in dramatic ways. It's an art that requires years of training, for strength and flexibility, and includes moves such as backbends, front bends, and splits. In some countries, including Mongolia, being a contortionist is a highly admired form of artistic expression. The word contortionist comes from the verb contort, which has a Latin root, contorquere, "to whirl or twist together," from torquere, "to twist."

Example Sentences

That word came up many times during the show’s first audition rounds as dancers, singers, magicians, acrobats and a contortionist took the stage.

From Salon • May 31, 2025

Now, thanks to social media, he has begun to establish himself as a professional contortionist and is training others to do the same.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2023

Hunter’s appearances are brief but darkly enthralling: With her hooded face, spooky incantations and contortionist gestures, she really does look and sound as though she’d been plucked from some distant medieval hellscape.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2021

There, amid worn tents and garishly painted signs, a psychic reads gullible minds and a contortionist twists like a soft pretzel.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2021

A contortionist in a sparkling black costume twists on a platform nearby, bending her body into impossible shapes.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern