contortionist

[kuh n-tawr-shuh-nist]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR contortionist ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who performs gymnastic feats involving contorted postures.

a person who practices contortion: a verbal contortionist.

RELATED WORDS

gymnast, tumbler

Origin of contortionist

First recorded in 1855–60; contortion + -ist

Related formscon·tor·tion·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for contortionist

Contemporary Examples of contortionist

Inside the “Love” window Elphresh the contortionist elf dances in from of a gold boom-box and 9-foot chrome mushrooms.
The Incredible Art of Christmas Windows
Barbara Ragghianti
November 24, 2014

Historical Examples of contortionist

For there, standing in the center of the room was the Contortionist, "limbering up."
Continuous Vaudeville
Will M. Cressy
It is not necessary to be a contortionist, nor will it answer to be an ossified freak.
Riding and Driving
Edward L. Anderson
In addition to my training as contortionist I was being trained as gymnast.
The Autobiography of a Clown
Isaac Frederick Marcosson
This stranger was a contortionist, there could be no question about that now.
White Fire
Roy J. Snell
He hoped that, by this time, they had succeeded in shaking the contortionist off their trail.
White Fire
Roy J. Snell

British Dictionary definitions for contortionist

contortionist

noun

a performer who contorts his body for the entertainment of others

a person who twists or warps meaning or thoughtsa verbal contortionist

Derived Formscontortionistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for contortionist

1841, from contortion + -ist.