1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If two people are twins , they have the same mother and were born on the same day. □ Sarah was looking after the twins. □ She had a twin brother and a younger brother.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Twin is used to describe a pair of things that look the same and are close together. □ …the twin spires of the cathedral. □ …the world's largest twin-engined aircraft.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Twin is used to describe two things or ideas that are similar or connected in some way. □ …the twin concepts of liberty and equality.
4 VERB [usu passive] When a place or organization in one country is twinned with a place or organization in another country, a special relationship is formally established between them. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + with ] My son's state primary school is twinned with a school near Johannesburg. □ [V -ed + with ] The busy commercial town is twinned with Truro.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Twin towns or cities are twinned with each other. [BRIT ] □ The thirty Germans were visiting their UK twin town. in AM, use sister cities 6 → see also identical twin , Siamese twin
twi n be d (twin beds ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Twin beds are two single beds in one bedroom.
twi n-be dded also twin bedded ADJ [ADJ n] A twin-bedded room has two single beds. [mainly BRIT ]
twine /twa I n/ (twines , twining , twined )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Twine is strong string used especially in gardening and farming.
2 VERB If you twine one thing around another, or if one thing twines around another, the first thing is twisted or wound around the second. □ [V n prep] He had twined his chubby arms around Vincent's neck. □ [V prep] These strands of molecules twine around each other to form cable-like structures.
twinge /tw I ndʒ/ (twinges )
1 N‑COUNT A twinge is a sudden sharp feeling or emotion, usually an unpleasant one. □ [+ of ] For a moment, Arnold felt a twinge of sympathy for Mr Wilson.
2 N‑COUNT A twinge is a sudden sharp pain. □ [+ in ] He felt a slight twinge in his damaged hamstring.
twin|kle /tw I ŋk ə l/ (twinkles , twinkling , twinkled )
1 VERB If a star or a light twinkles , it shines with an unsteady light which rapidly and constantly changes from bright to faint. □ [V ] At night, lights twinkle in distant villages across the valleys. □ [V -ing] …a band of twinkling diamonds.
2 VERB If you say that someone's eyes twinkle , you mean that their face expresses good humour or amusement. □ [+ with , V ] She saw her mother's eyes twinkle with amusement. ● N‑SING Twinkle is also a noun. □ A kindly twinkle came into her eyes.
twin|set /tw I nset/ (twinsets ) also twin set , twin-set N‑COUNT A twinset is a set of women's clothing, consisting of a cardigan and sweater of the same colour. [BRIT ]
twirl /twɜː r l/ (twirls , twirling , twirled )
1 VERB If you twirl something or if it twirls , it turns around and around with a smooth, fairly fast movement. □ [V n] Bonnie twirled her empty glass in her fingers. □ [V prep/adv] All around me leaves twirl to the ground. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you twirl , you turn around and around quickly, for example when you are dancing. □ [V prep/adv] Several hundred people twirl around the ballroom dance floor.
3 VERB If you twirl something such as your hair, you twist it around your finger. □ [V n] Sarah lifted her hand and started twirling a strand of hair.
twist ◆◇◇ /tw I st/ (twists , twisting , twisted )
1 VERB If you twist something, you turn it to make a spiral shape, for example by turning the two ends of it in opposite directions. □ [V n] Her hands began to twist the handles of the bag she carried. □ [V n adv/prep] Twist the string carefully around the second stem with the other hand.
2 VERB If you twist something, especially a part of your body, or if it twists , it moves into an unusual, uncomfortable, or bent position, for example because of being hit or pushed, or because you are upset. □ [V n prep] He twisted her arms behind her back and clipped a pair of handcuffs on her wrists. □ [V ] Sophia's face twisted in pain. □ [V -ed] The body was twisted, its legs at an awkward angle.
3 VERB If you twist part of your body such as your head or your shoulders, you turn that part while keeping the rest of your body still. □ [V n adv] She twisted her head sideways and looked towards the door. □ [V adv/prep] Susan twisted round in her seat until she could see Graham and Sabrina behind her.
4 VERB If you twist a part of your body such as your ankle or wrist, you injure it by turning it too sharply, or in an unusual direction. □ [V n] He fell and twisted his ankle. □ [V -ed] Rupert is out of today's session with a twisted knee.
5 VERB If you twist something, you turn it so that it moves around in a circular direction. □ [V n] She was staring down at her hands, twisting the ring on her finger. □ [V n with adv] Reaching up to a cupboard he takes out a jar and twists the lid off. ● N‑COUNT Twist is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The bag is resealed with a simple twist of the valve.
6 VERB If a road or river twists , it has a lot of sudden changes of direction in it. □ [V prep] The roads twist round hairpin bends. □ [V ] The lane twists and turns between pleasant but unspectacular cottages. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Twist is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The train maintains a constant speed through the twists and turns of track.