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

Larger bits of detritus, like empty potting soil bags, can be thrown in the trash, while bits of cotton twine and other biodegradable items can be composted. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024

With the new Google Maps update, the app will automatically recommend pit stops along your route, whether that means grabbing a croissant whilst on a stroll through Paris, or checking out the world’s largest ball of twine during a Kansas road trip. —Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Doree is lavish and royal with golden pillars and a twining wine cellar at its center. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

This gorgeous twining vine produces oodles of colorful blooms throughout the summer, which—if pollinated—form flattened pods that can be eaten like other green beans. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 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