unfold
Americanverb (used with object)
-
unfolds,
present (3rd person singular)
-
unfolded,
past participle, past
-
unfolding
present participle
-
to bring out of a folded state; spread or open out.
Unfold your arms.
-
to spread out or lay open to view.
-
to reveal or display.
-
to reveal or disclose in words, especially by careful or systematic exposition; set forth; explain.
verb (used without object)
-
unfolds,
present (3rd person singular)
-
unfolded,
past participle, past
-
unfolding
present participle
-
to become unfolded; open.
-
to develop.
-
to become clear, apparent, or known.
The protagonist's character unfolds as the story reaches its climax.
verb
-
to open or spread out or be opened or spread out from a folded state
-
to reveal or be revealed
the truth unfolds
-
to develop or expand or be developed or expanded
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
unfoldsimple
-
unfoldssimple
-
have unfoldedperfect
-
has unfoldedperfect
-
am unfoldingprogressive
-
are unfoldingprogressive
-
is unfoldingprogressive
-
have been unfoldingperfect progressive
-
has been unfoldingperfect progressive
Past
-
unfoldedsimple
-
had unfoldedperfect
-
was unfoldingprogressive
-
were unfoldingprogressive
-
had been unfoldingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unfold
before 900; Middle English unfolden, Old English unfealdan; cognate with German entfalten. See un- 2, fold 1
Explanation
To unfold is to open or reveal, the way a small square of paper might unfold into a large map, or the way the plot of a mystery novel can unfold into a clear picture of who the killer is. Anything that's folded or compacted unfolds as it opens up and stretches out. So a yoga teacher might curl into a tight ball and then unfold his limbs, stretching them wide. Or you might unfold a tightly sealed secret note or a gently creased letter from your grandparents. Information can unfold figuratively, too, or become more open and clear: "As the details of the crime began to unfold, the detective got ready to make an arrest."
Vocabulary lists containing unfold
"Play Ball!"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
While the women were still reeling from the voice-to-text fiasco, another drama was about to unfold.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
At the start of the partial eclipse, when the Moon began to cover the Sun at around 17.30 GMT, some people shouted "Wow!" eager to see what would unfold.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Weather permitting, astronomers say the natural spectacle promises to be a "very, very special" event - so, here's what you need to know about how and where to safely watch it unfold.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
Perez Hilton’s family has revealed that his children were home when his mental health crisis began to unfold, and now they’re asking the media for space so the family can safely return home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
From my back pocket, I unfold the article.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
I’m curious to see how her legacy unfolds, how the storyline of her child ends up.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
However, depending on how the situation unfolds before the transfer window closes on 1 September, it could be very significant in one way.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
“Lanterns,” which unfolds across two timelines, is the boldest entry so far in James Gunn’s remade DC Universe.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
The process unfolds so rapidly and completely that the cell disappears within minutes, leaving virtually no trace.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
A story that has to be memorised and spoken out loud is necessarily less complex than a novel that can be written down and unfolds over a greater length of time.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
He also reportedly told then-chief of staff Mark Meadows the situation was “getting really ugly” as it unfolded, while Trump Jr. texted Meadows begging him to get his father to “condemn this” immediately.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
Perez Hilton’s mom has taken legal action to ensure the care of his three children after his public mental health crisis unfolded on social media earlier this month.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
If scientists want to estimate how likely life is to arise and evolve elsewhere, they first need a clearer picture of how that process unfolded here on Earth.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
As the full scale of the disaster unfolded, rescue official Fathur Rahman told AFP at least 20 people were confirmed dead from four different towns on the island, popular with tourists.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a folded half-circle of cloth; he unfolded it, kissed it, and smoothed it over his hair.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Another crisis is unfolding underground, threatening the very foundations of buildings.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
The University of Michigan will drop grades for first-semester freshmen next year in an effort to “curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals,” according to the school.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
The scene in Charing was part of a much wider disaster unfolding across Assam.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
One is the new spending cap, but another is the fact that the new college sports economy in this bill is unfolding without the players’ participation.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
When he spies a woman unfolding a lounge chair nearby and starts talking louder, I realize it’s for an audience.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
