English Dictionary

Definition of “unravel

unravel (ʌnˈrævəllPronunciation for unravel

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr) to reduce (something knitted or woven) to separate strands
  2. (tr) to undo or untangle (something tangled or knotted)
  3. (tr) to explain or solve  ⇒ the mystery was unravelled 
  4. (intr) to become unravelled

Alternative Forms

unˈraveller noun unˈravelment noun

Usage examples

  • And watch your marriage unravel because of a simple miscommunication.
    Daisy Waugh, TEN STEPS TO HAPPINESS (2003)
  • The revelations that American troops have been abusing Iraqi prisoners give an even clearer example of how things can unravel.
    Spiked (2004)
  • In May 2000, as the business started to unravel , the board demanded Mr Thoman's resignation.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • DETECTIVES are trying to unravel the mystery of how £80,000 in used notes was delivered to a post office worker.
    Sun, News of the World (2002)
  • Many great geologists have spent their lives trying to unravel the mysteries of Alpine structure.
    Richard Fortey, THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)

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