Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
contortionist

contortionist

9 8.6
A person who can twist and bend their body into unusual shapes for shows
  • noun
  • /kənˈtɔːrʃənɪst/
translation icon : contorsionista
  • And so getting into the back is actually kind of a contortionist act, which stuns me.
  • sideshow contortionist
  • contortionist or a clown
  • contortionist, and performance artist

Getting in and out of a car was like, you felt like I was being a contortionist, like putting on my socks.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • She was also a contortionist.

    My Fellow Americans (1996)

  • You know, one of those girls is a contortionist.

    Evil Toons (1992)

  • Did you hear about the contortionist who was engaged to be married?

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The thought of not having to perform circus-like contortionist moves when getting him into the car makes me almost giddy.

    Blog text (11)

  • She's a contortionist.

    Across the Universe (2007)

  • This production showcases one amazing feat after another using contortionists, acrobats, and some aerial tricks.

    Blog text (6)

  • A contortionist executed a bone-snapping arrangement of his limbs that had the two dozen men and women gathered around him clapping and shouting in approval.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The contortionist amazed the audience by twisting her body into incredible shapes during the performance.

  • During the circus show, the contortionist bent backward and placed her feet behind her head effortlessly.

  • Everyone was shocked to see the contortionist fit into a small box without any discomfort.

Synonyms

acrobat
vscontortionist
22 4.4

A person who does skilled, risky moves like flips and tightrope walking

focuses on extreme twisting and bending rather than varied physical stunts
circus acrobat
vscontortionist
1 3.7

A person who does physical tricks and jumps in a circus show

specializes in extreme twisting and bending rather than general performance feats

How Flexible

contortionist
9 8.6
gymnast
59 2.5
acrobat
22 4.4
dancer
514 1.0

Surface Forms

contortionist singular
contortionists plural

Morphology

contortionist = contortion (transparent) = contort + ion + ist

The suffix '-ist' clearly indicates a person who performs the action of contortion.

Etymology

The word contortionist comes from contort meaning 'to twist' and the ending -ist meaning 'a person who'. Think of a performer who bends and twists their body into strange shapes, like a human pretzel, which is why a contortionist is someone who does extreme body-bending for shows.