twine

1 of 3

noun

ˈtwīn 

1

: a strong string of two or more strands twisted together

2

archaic : a twined or interlaced part or object

3

archaic : an act of twining, interlacing, or embracing

twiny

ˈtwī-nē 

adjective

twine

2 of 3

verb (1)

twined; twining

transitive verb

1

a

: to twist together

b

: to form by twisting : weave

2

a

: interlace

the girl twined her hands

—John Buchan

b

: to cause to encircle or enfold something

c

: to cause to be encircled

intransitive verb

1

: to coil about a support

2

: to stretch or move in a sinuous manner : meander

the river twines through the valley

twiner noun

twine

3 of 3

verb (2)

twined; twining

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland : to cause (one) to lose possession : deprive

twined him of his nose

—J. C. Ransom

intransitive verb

chiefly Scotland : part

you and me must twine

—R. L. Stevenson

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• coil
• corkscrew
• curl
• entwine
• spiral
• twist
• wind

Examples of twine in a Sentence

Noun

The package was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine.

a strong piece of twine

Verb (1)

the snake silently twined around the tree trunk

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Place two sprigs of thyme atop the lemon slices, then fold up the trout and tie each of them with butcher’s twine to keep the lemon inside. —Jonathan Miles, Field & Stream, 23 May 2024

The twine is pre-measured and weighed so the ball’s total weight and yardage can be kept up to date. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2024

Verb

The two are twined together, equally crucial to the endgame: a simultaneous orgasm of structural devices. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2024

In a dappled forest, vines twine up trees, reaching ever upward and away from the dark. —Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English twin, from Old English twīn; akin to Middle Dutch twijn twine, Old English twā two

Verb (2)

alteration of Scots twin, from Middle English twinnen, from twin double

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1722, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

twine

1 of 2 noun

ˈtwīn 

: a string made of two or more strands twisted together

twine

2 of 2 verb

twined; twining

1

a

: to twist together

b

: interlace

2

: to coil or cause to coil around a support