contortionist
Americannoun
-
a person who performs gymnastic feats involving contorted postures.
-
a person who practices contortion.
a verbal contortionist.
noun
-
a performer who contorts his body for the entertainment of others
-
a person who twists or warps meaning or thoughts
a verbal contortionist
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing contortionist
Twists and Turns: Tor
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The House of Hades
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dig
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“May I leave my contortionist skills at the door and speak from the heart?” asked the Oscar-nominated performer.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025
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
In addition to Clayton, in January 2021 they lost Sophie, the transformative producer who taught them how to piece together glitchy, contortionist pop.
From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2022
It latches automatically, and the box is undeniably closed, with the contortionist clearly visible inside.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
