unravel

CEFRB2

/(ˌ)ʌnˈɹævəl/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To separate or solve something that is tangled or confusing.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To separate the threads of (something knitted or woven, such as clothing or fabric).

Examples

  • The sleeves of the sweater began to unravel.

  • Who shall ever unravel the mysteries of the sea?

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /(ˌ)ʌnˈɹavəl/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To cause (something) to no longer be ravelled or tangled; to disentangle, to untangle.

  2. To separate the connected or united parts of (something); to throw (something) into disorder; to confound, to confuse, to disintegrate.

  3. To become no longer ravelled or tangled.

More examples

In context

  • Mother couldn’t unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.

  • Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You’ll unravel it.

  • to unravel the broad consensus which was created

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

As the detective investigated, the mystery began to blank and reveal the truth.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

PIE word *h₂énti From un- (suffix denoting the inverse of the specified action) + ravel. cognates * Dutch ontrafelen (“to unravel”)