warp

1 of 2

noun

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 agricultureAmer. 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 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 prejudicesIrving 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
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
General relativity — Einstein’s theory that matter and energy warp space-time and that this warping is gravity — had fallen into the backwaters of physics, outshined by progress in quantum mechanics. Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 Now, however, scientists believe one sci-fi invention could, in fact, become a reality: the warp drive. Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 12 June 2024
Verb
Zooming out, the digital replica also offers insights into how the pack ice warped and crushed the vessel’s hull and masts. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 The cognitive biases being exploited to warp perceptions In short, the Biden-Harris administration presided over a stronger economy than under Trump. Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for warp 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'warp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of warp was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near warp

Cite this Entry

“Warp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warp. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

warp

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on warp

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