warp

1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯrp 

1

a

: a series of yarns extended lengthwise in a loom and crossed by the weft

b

: foundation, base

the warp of the economic structure is agriculture

—Amer. Guide Series: N.C.

2

: a rope for warping or mooring a ship or boat

3

[warp entry 2]

a

: a twist or curve that has developed in something originally flat or straight

a warp in a door panel

b

: a mental aberration

warpage

ˈwȯr-pij 

noun

warp

2 of 2

verb

warped; warping; warps

transitive verb

1

: to arrange (yarns) so as to form a warp

2

a

: to turn or twist out of or as if out of shape

especially : to twist or bend out of a plane

b

: to cause to judge, choose, or act wrongly or abnormally : pervert

c

: distort

intellect and learning … warped by prejudices

—Irving Wallace

warps space and time

d

: to deflect from a course

3

: to move (something, such as a ship) by hauling on a line attached to a fixed object

intransitive verb

1

: to become warped

2

: to move a ship by warping

warper noun

Synonyms

Noun

• base
• basis
• bedrock
• bottom
• cornerstone
• footing
• foundation
• ground
• groundwork
• keystone
• root
• underpinning
• warp and woof

Verb

• bend
• color
• cook
• distort
• falsify
• fudge
• garble
• misinterpret
• misrelate
• misrepresent
• misstate
• pervert
• slant
• twist

Choose the Right Synonym for warp

deform, distort, contort, warp means to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting.

deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result.

the odd camera angle distorts the figure

disease had contorted her body

warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

Examples of warp in a Sentence

Noun

There's a warp in the floorboards.

an unshakable belief in the essential goodness of humankind is the warp of his philosophy

Verb

The wood was warped by moisture.

The heat caused the wood to warp.

He held prejudices that warped his judgment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Remove warps in early spring prior to spring growth to avoid damaging the trunk. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025

The weaving, in which the weft, the horizontal structure, is inserted into the fabric’s vertical structure, the warp, is conducted in the world’s quietest weaving room. —Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025

Verb

Scalpers are a big problem making the concert-going experience worse — but at the root of the chaos is unmanageable, roof-shattering demand that has warped beyond recognition what people are willing to pay for a show. —Whizy Kim, Vox, 12 Feb. 2025

Here’s my answer Are California real estate markets warped by sober homes paying top dollar? —Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English wearp; akin to Old High German warf warp, Old English weorpan to throw, Old Norse verpa

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing warp

• time warp
• warp and woof
• warp beam
• warp knit
• warp speed

Kids Definition

warp

1 of 2 noun

ˈwȯ(ə)rp 

1

: a series of yarns going lengthwise in a loom and crossed by the woof

2

: a twist or curve in something once flat or straight

a warp in a door

warp

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to turn or twist out of shape

b

: to cause to judge, choose, or act wrongly : pervert

2

: to arrange so as to form a warp

warp yarns

warper noun