What does entwine mean?
To entwine is to wind one thing together with another — strands of rope, tendrils of ivy, or the arms of an embrace — so that they form a single twisted whole. The verb applies most literally to physical weaving and twisting, as when a vine entwines a fence post, but it is equally at home in figurative contexts: two people's lives may be said to entwine over years of friendship, or their fates to become entwined by circumstance. The word carries a gentle, somewhat literary connotation, lending warmth and intimacy to descriptions of connection. It appears frequently in poetry, romance, and nature writing, where it evokes organic growth and closeness rather than mere mechanical binding. Related forms such as 'entwined' are common adjectivally, as in 'they walked hand in hand, fingers entwined'. Anyone seeking an elegant alternative to plainer verbs like 'twist' or 'connect' will find entwine a graceful and precise choice.
verbTo twist or wind together, especially threads, strands, or stems; to interweave. Figuratively, to become closely connected or intertwined with something else.
- To twist or wind together (of strands, stems, or threads); to interweave.
- (Figurative) To become closely bound up or interconnected with someone or something.
"Ivy had entwined itself around the iron gate."
"Vines entwined the trellis in a dense green lattice."
"Their destinies were entwined from the moment they met."
Entwine is essentially 'twine' wearing a poetic costume — the prefix 'en-' simply means 'to cause to be', so to entwine something is literally 'to make it twine.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entwine
Entwine derives from the prefix 'en-' (from Old French, ultimately Latin 'in-', meaning 'in' or 'to cause to be') combined with 'twine', which comes from Old English 'twīn', meaning a double thread or twisted cord. The base word twine is related to the notion of twisting two strands together. English also has 'intertwine', formed identically with the Latin-derived prefix 'inter-', and both verbs have existed since roughly the late Middle English and early modern period.
Related word forms
How entwine is actually used
Slightly literary in register; common in descriptive and figurative writing about relationships, nature, and fate. Often used reflexively or passively ('their fingers were entwined').
Easily confused with entwine
Intertwine is the more common and slightly more formal word for things winding together, while entwine is a close synonym that often carries a more literary or poetic tone.