tortuous

IPA/ˈtɔːtʃuəs/
KK[tˈɔrtʃəwəs]IPA/ˈtɔːrtʃuəs/

tortuous — adjective

  • tortuouspositive
  • more tortuouscomparative
  • most tortuoussuperlative

1. Having so many bends that a road, path, or similar way does not go straight.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

Having so many bends that a road, path, or similar way does not go straight.

例句

The tortuous road climbed above the lake in a series of bends.

collocation: tortuous road

Jin followed a tortuous path through the caves to reach daylight.

collocation: tortuous path

同義詞
  • winding

    More common and less formal for something that bends again and again.

  • twisting

    Suggests sharper or tighter bends.

  • circuitous

    Often stresses going a longer way around, not just the shape of the bends.

反義詞
  • straight

    Going in one line without repeated bends.

  • direct

    Reaching a place without extra turns or detours.

文法句型

tortuous road/path/river

be + tortuous

用法筆記

Most often describes roads, paths, rivers, passages, or stairs that bend again and again. Distinguish from sense 2 (INDIRECT AND HARD TO FOLLOW), which is used for explanations, arguments, or other non-physical processes.

常見錯誤

❌The ruler drew a tortuous line across the page.
✅The ruler drew a straight line across the page.
💡'Tortuous' is for a line or route with many bends, not one that stays straight.
❌We found a tortuous shortcut behind the station.
✅We found a shortcut behind the station.
💡A shortcut suggests a quicker direct way, while 'tortuous' suggests a longer bending route.

2. Reaching the point through too many indirect steps, so that an explanation, argu

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Reaching the point through too many indirect steps, so that an explanation, argument, or process becomes hard to follow.

例句

The report gives a tortuous explanation of why the project stalled.

collocation: tortuous explanation

Asher offered a tortuous answer when the teacher asked about the missing file.

collocation: tortuous answer

同義詞
  • indirect

    Broader and more neutral; it does not always imply difficulty or needless complexity.

  • convoluted

    Stronger and more critical for something hard to understand because it is overcomplicated.

  • roundabout

    More everyday for speech that does not go straight to the point.

反義詞

文法句型

tortuous explanation/argument/reply

be + tortuous

用法筆記

Usually describes explanations, arguments, replies, or procedures that move toward the point in a slow and awkward way. Distinguish from sense 1 (FULL OF TWISTS), which describes a physical line or route.

常見錯誤

❌Her tortuous answer was clear and direct.
✅Her answer was clear and direct.
💡If the point is stated plainly, 'tortuous' is the wrong adjective.
❌The simple note was tortuous, so everyone understood it at once.
✅The note was straightforward, so everyone understood it at once.
💡'Tortuous' suggests something indirect or hard to follow, not simple.