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Definition of contortionism

contortionism

/kənˈtɔːr.ʃən.ɪ.zəm/
con · tor · tion · ism
Adjective:contortionistic
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contortionism Lexical Profile

contortionism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A performance art in which a person twists and bends their body into unusual and extreme positions through exceptional physical flexibility.

Example

"Years of dedicated stretching and strength training allowed her to master the demanding art of contortionism."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for contortionism

• Nearby Words

contort
contorted
contortion
contortionism
contortionist
contour
contoured

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century from 'contortion' plus the suffix '-ism', ultimately deriving from the Latin 'contortio' ('a twisting together'), from the verb 'contorquere'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Contortionism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/contortionism
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