noun

warp

WAWP

noun

A twist or distortion out of the normal or original shape.

"The heat left a noticeable warp in the wooden shelf."

The lengthwise threads on a loom, crossed by the weft to make woven fabric.

"The weaver carefully strung the warp before beginning the pattern."

(in science fiction) A means of travelling faster than light, or a distortion in space and time.

"The starship jumped to warp speed to escape the enemy fleet."

verb

To bend or twist something out of its original shape, or to become bent this way.

"The damp wood began to warp after being left outside."

"Years of isolation had warped his sense of what was normal."

How to Use Warp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo twist out of shape, or (literally or figuratively) a bend or distortion — also used for faster-than-light travel in sci-fi.

Common pairings

warp speed warp and weft warped judgment

warped past tense, warps plural, warps singular

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The heat left a noticeable _____ in the wooden shelf.

From Old English wearp, originally referring to threads stretched lengthwise on a loom, from a Germanic root related to "throwing" or "casting."

carp harp tarp Karp Earp sharp