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.
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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
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unfoldsimple
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unfoldssimple
-
have unfoldedperfect
-
has unfoldedperfect
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am unfoldingprogressive
-
are unfoldingprogressive
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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!"
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"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 1
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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:
Ippolito said he couldn't imagine what Stallone must have felt seeing his own life story unfold onscreen.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
As new consumer habits unfold, Google is working on scaling ads within AI Overviews and AI Mode.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026
Watch: How will the evacuation of Oleshky unfold?
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global and a longtime chronicler of oil, said an energy crisis “registers instantaneously on the screen” while a food crisis “will unfold with the cycle of the seasons.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
“No matter what terrifying and bloodcurdling events unfold during the séance, you must stay perfectly still and quiet as mice. No howling! No barking! No biting!”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Here are five issues that voting rights experts say they’re watching as this year’s election unfolds:
From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026
However this woeful period unfolds, it is unlikely Martinez's recklessness will be forgotten.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
The firm, in a statement, said as the process unfolds, it “will continue serving clients with the dedication and excellence that have defined it since its founding and will remain committed to supporting its colleagues.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
For the first time, a simulation of this kind follows that transformation as it unfolds while simultaneously accounting for how it affects the surrounding universe.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026
He unfolds his arms and stuffs his hands in his pockets.
From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Selma Blair is apologizing following an alleged violent medical episode that unfolded on a Delta airlines flight earlier this month.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Rachel tells Dr Sian Williams, host of Radio 4's Life Changing podcast, of the trauma of her family being torn apart, the chaos that unfolded and how she has come to forgive her parents.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
But the crime remains unsolved – and in a new BBC documentary series Devine tells of his guilt over the way the attack unfolded, and for the failure to catch the killers.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
How this tragedy unfolded is at the heart of “The Girl in Blue,” Doreen Carvajal’s poignant book about “La Petite Irène” and the family destroyed by it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Nancy grabbed a red plastic shopping basket, while George unfolded their shopping list.
From "Scream for Ice Cream: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #2" by Carolyn Keene
It is unfolding against what many have interpreted as a widening rift between Prabowo and his predecessor, Joko Widodo - otherwise know as Jokowi - who had thrown his support behind Prabowo's 2024 presidential campaign.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
Gold prices remained under pressure as investors cautiously assess the unfolding U.S. midterm results.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Outside the perimeter fence, daily life bears little resemblance to the military activity unfolding inside.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
Just as the organizers had hoped, the demonstration caught the attention of users on X and other social-media platforms, where some contrasted the relatively tame demonstration with the more chaotic protests unfolding in Europe.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026
“Amil,” I said, later in the day while Amil sat on the floor folding and unfolding a blank piece of paper.
From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
