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twisties

American  
[twis-teez] / ˈtwɪs tiz /

plural noun

Gymnastics.
  1. a loss of spatial awareness or physical orientation resulting in an inability to execute gymnastics skills previously within an athlete’s repertoire.


Etymology

Origin of twisties

First recorded in 2021; twist ( def. ) + -y 2 ( def. ) + -s 3 ( def. )

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.

See Examples For:

But she suffered the "twisties" -- a mental block triggered by stress or anxiety -- and withdrew from events to prioritise her mental health.

From Barron's Feb. 18, 2026

“But when you have the twisties, that kinesthetic awareness, that sense of where your body is in space, is what’s off.”

From Salon Aug. 1, 2024

I guess NBC had a case of the twisties.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 31, 2024

At one point participant and journalist Céline Nony talks about how the twisties almost bring about a greater stigma because they're invisible.

From Salon Jul. 19, 2024

Classic — the 26-year-old’s first meet since her 2021 Tokyo Games was interrupted by a bout with “ the twisties ” — the words “Paris” and “2024” didn’t escape her lips.

From Seattle Times Aug. 6, 2023

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