intertwine
B2Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
To twist or weave things together.
To connect or become connected in a complex, inseparable way.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a connection so close that separating elements is difficult. Can describe physical, metaphorical, or abstract connections. Common in both literal and figurative contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Both varieties use the word similarly. Pronunciation differs.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Slightly more common in literary and academic contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Something intertwines with somethingSomething and something intertwineSomething is intertwined with somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Our fates were intertwined.”
- “Their lives are closely intertwined.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company's success is intertwined with the local economy.
Academic
The two theories are deeply intertwined in contemporary sociological discourse.
Everyday
Their stories began to intertwine after they met at university.
Technical
The fibres are mechanically intertwined to increase tensile strength.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The vines began to intertwine around the old trellis.
- Our family histories are inextricably intertwined.
American English
- The plotlines intertwine in the movie's final act.
- Economic and political issues are often intertwined.
adverb
British English
- The strands grew intertwiningly together. (Rare)
American English
- (Adverbial use is extremely rare and non-standard for this word.)
adjective
British English
- They shared an intertwined destiny.
- The report discussed the intertwined nature of the crises.
American English
- Their careers followed an intertwined path.
- The intertwined roots of the trees formed a natural network.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two ropes intertwine.
- The kittens' tails were intertwined.
- Their fingers intertwined as they walked.
- The stories of the two main characters intertwine.
- The film cleverly intertwines past and present narratives.
- Local culture is deeply intertwined with traditional crafts.
- The author's personal philosophy is inextricably intertwined with the novel's themes.
- Complex social and economic factors became fatally intertwined, leading to the crisis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TWINE (string). To INTER-TWINE is to twist strings TOGETHER.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS PHYSICAL INTERWEAVING (e.g., 'their histories are intertwined').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'переплетаться' when a simpler word like 'mix' or 'connect' is sufficient.
- Be careful with prepositions: 'intertwined WITH', not 'intertwined to/into'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Their destinies are intertwined each other. Correct: Their destinies are intertwined with each other.
- Incorrect: He intertwines the threads. (Grammatically correct but often used in passive/reciprocal constructions).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'intertwine' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for two or more elements that are connected in a complex way.
'Intertwine' often suggests a mutual or reciprocal action between separate elements coming together. 'Entwine' can be more general, meaning to twist something around something else.
It is neutral to formal. It is common in writing and more formal speech but can be used in everyday contexts, especially in its past participle form 'intertwined'.
No, 'intertwine' is only a verb. The noun form is 'intertwinement' (rare) or more commonly, the concept is expressed with the adjective 'intertwined' (e.g., 'the intertwining of...').