To intertwine means to twist or weave things together so they become connected or tangled up with each other. Think of braiding hair: three separate strands intertwine to form one strong braid. When you twist two colors of clay together to make a spiral pattern, the colors intertwine.

The word often describes things that become so connected you can't easily separate them. Tree roots intertwine underground, wrapping around each other as they grow. Vines intertwine as they climb up a fence. You might notice how the plot threads in a good mystery novel intertwine, with different storylines weaving together until they all connect at the end.

Intertwine can describe ideas and lives too. A teacher's passion for science might intertwine with her love of teaching, making both parts of her life stronger together. When two families become close friends, their lives intertwine through shared meals, vacations, and celebrations. In history, the stories of different civilizations often intertwine through trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

The feeling of the word suggests things becoming closely linked, like fingers interlacing when you clasp your hands together. Once things intertwine, they're no longer completely separate; they've become part of something woven together.