twisty
Full of many bends, turns, or surprising changes.
Twisty describes something full of turns, curves, and unexpected changes in direction. A twisty mountain road winds back and forth as it climbs upward, forcing drivers to constantly turn their steering wheels. A twisty river snakes through the landscape instead of flowing in a straight line.
The word often describes paths, roads, or routes: a twisty hiking trail might loop around trees and rocks, making it impossible to see what's ahead. A twisty straw at a restaurant curves and loops playfully before the drink reaches your mouth.
Twisty can also describe stories, mysteries, or plots with surprising turns. A twisty mystery novel keeps revealing unexpected information: just when you think you know who stole the painting, you discover a new clue that changes everything. These kinds of stories are sometimes said to have a twist ending because they surprise you at the end.
When something is described as twisty, there's often a sense of complexity or unpredictability. A twisty problem in math class might have several steps that aren't obvious at first. The word suggests that what seems straightforward might take an unexpected turn.