Unravel
/ʌnˈrævəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo separate the threads of a woven fabric; to solve or explain something complex.
/ʌnˈrævəl/
To separate or disentangle the threads of something woven.
The cat loves to unravel the toilet paper.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite sweater is starting to come apart, thread by thread. To unravel means the threads are coming loose and separating. It's like when you try to solve a puzzle, you're unraveling the clues to figure it out!
👶 For kids: To unravel is like when your yarn gets all tangled up, and you need to pull the string to untangle it. Or when a detective is trying to solve a mystery, they are trying to unravel the clues.
More Examples
She spent hours trying to unravel the complicated mystery.
The historian is attempting to unravel the mysteries of the ancient civilization.
How It's Used
"The sweater began to unravel at the cuff."
"The detective tried to unravel the complex plot of the murder."
To come apart; to fall apart.
/ʌnˈrævəl/
To become undone.
The threads of the tapestry began to unravel.
💡 Simply: Imagine a rope and all of its threads are coming loose and separating. The rope is unraveling, meaning it's falling apart. If you lose your grip and lose your composure, your focus is unraveling.
👶 For kids: When something that's tied together starts to come apart, like a ball of yarn, it's unraveling.
More Examples
The company's plans began to unravel due to financial difficulties.
As the argument progressed, her composure began to unravel.
How It's Used
"The fabric began to unravel after being exposed to the sun."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
unravel a mystery
To solve or explain a puzzling situation or problem.
"The detective spent weeks trying to unravel the mystery of the missing jewels."
unravel at the seams
To fall apart or become disorganized; to become unstable.
"The company started to unravel at the seams after the CEO's scandal."
From Middle English *unravelen*, from Old English *unræfian* 'to unwind, untangle', from *un-* (un-) + *ræfian* (to wind, to roll up).
The word unravel has been used since the early 17th century.
Memory tip
Imagine a ball of yarn; to unravel it is to pull the threads apart, just like solving a mystery.
Word Origin
"to unwind, untangle"