unfurl

[ uhn-furl ]

verb (used with object)

1. to spread or shake out from a furled state, as a sail or a flag; unfold.

verb (used without object)

1. to become unfurled.

unfurl

/ ʌnˈfɜːl /

verb

1. to unroll, unfold, or spread out or be unrolled, unfolded, or spread out from a furled state

Other Words From

• un·furla·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfurl¹

First recorded in 1635–45; un- ² + furl

Example Sentences

I’m thinking of the Center for Land Use Interpretation, which installed speakers in a forest that played the sound of a tree falling, and of Earth First unfurling a “crack” down the front of Glen Canyon Dam.

From Outside Online

Apple took note and unfurled some changes with an iOS update that debuted a few months later.

From Popular-Science

When designing their e-commerce sites, brands must be certain that when a link unfurls into a thumbnail preview, an optimal image or video is displayed.

From Search Engine Land

Marketers should stay in communication with developers to be sure content is created and optimized to unfurl properly.

From Search Engine Land

Now that you’re sure that there are no reputation crises unfurling at the moment, it’s time to deal with individual mentions.

From Search Engine Watch

Other stories unfurl with giggles and exclamation, but really, read Maupin, or see him on tour.

From The Daily Beast

As the Boston tragedy continues to unfurl, things will likely continue to get worse before finally taking a turn for the better.

From The Daily Beast

How we love that word—cue the trumpets, unfurl the banners, cast a golden light upon the White House.

From The Daily Beast

Democrats did a lot of finger-pointing, but at the end of the day, enough of them did help unfurl the hose.

From The Daily Beast

An impromptu plan arose: gather for coffee and brunch at Jeans-Jacques, then unfurl the banner.

From The Daily Beast

Softly the folded flower petals of the heart began to unfurl.

From Project Gutenberg

With poetry, as with going to sea, we should push from the shore and reach a certain elevation before we unfurl all our sails.

From Project Gutenberg

We are here to build the temple, and to bring men up to the standard which we now unfurl to the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Let the sweet accents of mercy be heard, while ye boldly unfurl the blood-stained banners of the cross.

From Project Gutenberg

As his men with a cheer began to unfurl all sail, Captain Horton approached the commander of the privateer.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• unfold
• unroll
• unwind