distortion

[ dih-stawr-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of distorting.
2. the state of being distorted distorted or the relative degree or amount by which something is distorted distorted or distorts.
3. anything that is distorted, distorted, as a sound, image, fact, etc.
4. Optics. an aberration of a lens or system of lenses in which the magnification of the object varies with the lateral distance from the axis of the lens.

distortion

/ dɪˈstɔːʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of distorting or the state of being distorted
2. something that is distorted
3. an aberration of a lens or optical system in which the magnification varies with the lateral distance from the axis
4. electronics
   1. an undesired change in the shape of an electromagnetic wave or signal
   2. the result of such a change in waveform, esp a loss of clarity in radio reception or sound reproduction
5. psychol a change in perception so that it does not correspond to reality
6. psychoanal the disguising of the meaning of unconscious thoughts so that they may appear in consciousness, e.g. in dreams

Derived Forms

• disˈtortional, adjective

Other Word Forms

• dis·tortion·al dis·tortion·ary adjective
• nondis·tortion noun
• over·dis·tortion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distortion¹

First recorded in 1575–85, distortion is from the Latin word distortiōn- (stem of distortiō ). See distort, -ion

Example Sentences

Simita Kumar, the City of Edinburgh Council's SNP group leader, told the Sunday Times that Day's claims were a "gross distortion" and offensive to complainants.

From BBC

"I completed the portrait accurately, without 'purposeful distortion', political bias, or any attempt to caricature the subject, actual or implied. I fulfilled the task per my contract."

From BBC

Carr opened an inquiry into whether the “60 Minutes” edits rose to the level of “news distortion,” allegations that CBS denies.

From Los Angeles Times

Aggravating those gaps are distortions of memory and uncooperative key sources.

From Los Angeles Times

Time distortion is a common response to the type of extreme stress and anxiety that he and his administration’s policies are causing the American people.

From Salon

Related Words

• bias
• exaggeration
• lie
• misinterpretation
• misrepresentation
• misstatement
• misuse