Supercoiled is a term commonly used in molecular biology to describe the state of a DNA molecule where it is tightly wound upon itself. There are several synonyms for the word supercoiled, including twisted, coiled, knotted, wound, and contorted. These synonyms describe the same physical property of DNA that leads to its compact structure. Supercoiled DNA is essential for many biological functions, including DNA packaging and gene regulation. Scientists use various methods to quantitatively measure supercoiling, which can have implications for gene expression and DNA replication. Understanding the terminology associated with supercoiling is critical for those studying molecular biology and genetics.