pretzel

American  

[pret-suhl] / ˈprɛt səl /

noun

1. a crisp, dry biscuit, usually in the form of a knot or stick, salted on the outside.

2. a larger version of this, made of soft, chewy bread dough.

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pretzel British  

/ ˈprɛtsəl /

noun

1. a brittle savoury biscuit, in the form of a knot or stick, glazed and salted on the outside, eaten esp in Germany and the US

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Usage

What does pretzel logic mean? Pretzel logic is an expression used to describe someone's "twisted reasoning."

Etymology

Origin of pretzel

1815–25, < German Pretzel, variant of Bretzel; Old High German brizzila < Medieval Latin bracellus bracelet

Example Sentences

Some have gathered to re-create the pretzel scene on the escalator, or to take selfies outside.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

“Twist it into a pretzel if you want.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

I see movies that I end up despising and I’m still glad I went because I got to have a pretzel and an ice-cold soda and not look at my phone for a few hours.”

From Salon • Jan. 1, 2025

I grabbed a soft pretzel and a bottle of Dasani and took a seat.

From Slate • Aug. 1, 2024

He dodged Bobby Gene’s kicks, then swooped his legs forward—both at the same time, however impossible—and looped Bobby Gene’s ankles, locking the two of them together like a funky pretzel.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• biscuit
• cookie