A1 noun Neutral #2,658 most common

distortion

/dɪˈstɔːr.ʃən/

A distortion is a change in the shape, sound, or appearance of something that makes it look or sound strange or wrong. It also refers to the act of changing facts or truth to give a false impression of a situation.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The old mirror caused a strange distortion of my face.

The old mirror caused a strange distortion of my face.

2

The report was criticized for its gross distortion of the facts.

The report was criticized for its gross distortion of the facts.

3

I love the heavy distortion on the guitar in this song.

I love the heavy distortion on the guitar in this song.

Word Family

Noun
distortion
Verb
distort
Adverb
distortedly
Adjective
distorted
Related
distorter
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the root 'tort' which means 'twist' (like a tortilla or torture). A distortion is when something is 'twisted' out of shape.

Quick Quiz

The news article was full of ______ and did not tell the whole story.

Correct!

The correct answer is: distortion

Examples

1

The old mirror caused a strange distortion of my face.

everyday

The old mirror caused a strange distortion of my face.

2

The report was criticized for its gross distortion of the facts.

formal

The report was criticized for its gross distortion of the facts.

3

I love the heavy distortion on the guitar in this song.

informal

I love the heavy distortion on the guitar in this song.

4

Scientists must prevent any distortion of the data during the experiment.

academic

Scientists must prevent any distortion of the data during the experiment.

5

Subsidies can lead to a significant distortion of market prices.

business

Subsidies can lead to a significant distortion of market prices.

Word Family

Noun
distortion
Verb
distort
Adverb
distortedly
Adjective
distorted
Related
distorter

Common Collocations

gross distortion gross distortion
audio distortion audio distortion
distortion of truth distortion of truth
visual distortion visual distortion
market distortion market distortion

Common Phrases

harmonic distortion

harmonic distortion

a distortion of reality

a distortion of reality

optical distortion

optical distortion

Often Confused With

distortion vs contortion

Contortion refers specifically to twisting the body, while distortion is more general and includes ideas and sounds.

distortion vs distraction

A distraction is something that takes your attention away, whereas a distortion is a change in form or truth.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'distortion' when describing how something has been pulled out of its natural shape, or when information has been changed to be misleading. It is very common in technical fields like audio engineering and optics, as well as in journalism.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'distortion' to mean a simple 'change.' However, distortion almost always implies that the change is negative, ugly, or incorrect.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the root 'tort' which means 'twist' (like a tortilla or torture). A distortion is when something is 'twisted' out of shape.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'distortio', which comes from 'distorquere' meaning 'to twist different ways'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable or uncountable noun Often followed by the preposition 'of' Plural form: distortions
🌍

Cultural Context

In modern music history, especially Rock, 'distortion' is considered a stylistic choice for electric guitars rather than a technical failure.

Quick Quiz

The news article was full of ______ and did not tell the whole story.

Correct!

The correct answer is: distortion

Related Words

proceed

C1

The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.

individual

C1

Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.

appropriately

B2

To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.

region

B2

A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.

resource

B2

A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

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