timewarp

Timewarp, or time warp, is a term used to describe a perceived or fictional alteration of time, or a mechanism that moves events through time. The phrase is not a formal scientific term, but it relates to concepts in physics and to narrative devices in media.

In physics, time dilation and spacetime curvature—predicted by Einstein’s theory of relativity—can cause time to pass at different rates or along different paths for observers in varying gravitational fields or relative motion. These effects are real but not controllable “warps” in the everyday sense; they are consequences of how spacetime is structured.

In popular culture, timewarp is a common trope for time travel, alternate timelines, or rapid shifts in tempo. A notable cultural reference is The Time Warp, a song and dance from the musical The Rocky Horror Show, which popularized the phrase in a musical context.

In technology and media creation, time-warping describes manipulating the tempo or rhythm of media. Time-stretching and speed ramping change duration without altering pitch, while tools in video games and virtual reality use time-warp techniques to smooth motion or alter perceived speed. Some games feature spells or abilities named Time Warp that temporarily accelerate or decelerate time for characters.