A pretzel is a twisted bread snack baked into a distinctive knot shape. The dough loops around itself in a pattern that looks almost like crossed arms, creating a shape you can recognize instantly. Traditional pretzels have a shiny, deep brown crust with a slightly chewy texture and are topped with coarse salt crystals.

Pretzels come in two main forms: soft pretzels, which are warm and bready (often sold at baseball games or street carts), and hard pretzels, which are crunchy snacks you might find in a bag at the store. Soft pretzels are often served with mustard for dipping, while hard pretzels make a satisfying snap when you bite them.

The word can also describe something twisted into that same knot-like shape. If you sit cross-legged with your ankles tucked in an uncomfortable way, someone might say your legs are pretzeled up. Yoga instructors sometimes joke about pretzeling yourself into difficult poses.

Pretzels originated in Europe hundreds of years ago, and their twisted shape was said to resemble arms crossed in prayer. Today they're popular snacks around the world, though soft pretzels remain especially beloved in German and American food culture.