Warp means to bend, twist, or distort something out of its normal shape, usually in a way that damages it. Wood warps when it gets wet and dries unevenly, causing boards that were once flat and straight to curve or buckle. You might notice warped floorboards that no longer fit together properly, or a warped door that won't close smoothly anymore. Plastic left in the sun can warp. Even metal can warp if it gets too hot or is bent with too much force.

The word also describes distorting ideas, facts, or someone's perspective. When anger warps your judgment, you might make choices you'd normally avoid. A warped sense of humor finds funny things that most people wouldn't. When someone twists the truth to make themselves look better, they're warping the facts.

In science fiction, a warp drive bends space itself to allow spaceships to travel faster than light. In weaving, the warp threads run lengthwise on a loom, holding steady while the weft threads weave across them. Time seems to warp when you're having fun, making hours feel like minutes, or when you're bored, making minutes feel like hours.