unfurl

[ uhn-furl ]

/ ʌnˈfɜrl /

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See synonyms for: unfurl / unfurled / unfurls on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

to become unfurled.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of unfurl

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

OTHER WORDS FROM unfurl

un·furl·a·ble, adjective

How to use unfurl in a sentence

First, a parachute will unfurl, taking the vehicle from a supersonic speed down to 200 miles per hour.
Watch the Perseverance rover complete its dramatic landing on Mars|Charlie Wood|February 18, 2021|Popular-Science
That little bit of warmth helped her make it to summer when she’d unfurl in the sun while Dad sat under the umbrella content, and slightly sunburnt.
A Love Letter For All the Days After Valentine's Day|Susanna Schrobsdorff|February 14, 2021|Time
Two days later, they shared a tent for the first time atop Beauty Spot, a panoramic bald knob where the Appalachians unfurl in an infinite ripple.
What It’s Like to Fall in Love on a Long Hike|Grayson Haver Currin|February 13, 2021|Outside Online
Details about the LG Rollable are still sparse, which isn’t out of the ordinary for a new product at CES, but it promises a normal-sized smartphone screen that literally unfurls into a display the size of a small tablet.
Rolling phones, smart glasses, and other cool new tech from CES 2021|Stan Horaczek|January 12, 2021|Popular-Science

In total, Disney said it was unfurling 100 new titles, 80 percent of which would go digital first.
The four most exciting projects from Disney’s stunning announcement — yes, including Hayden as Darth Vader|Michael Cavna|December 11, 2020|Washington Post
As the controversy unfurled late Monday, it created some odd bedfellows.
No. 3 Republican Admits Talking to White Supremacist Conference|Tim Mak|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The solution they came up with was the scroll, which let viewers walk through the painting as they unfurled it.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney|William O’Connor|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From the compartments hung 225 flags and banners, all unfurled and with decorative effects on their finials.
The Real Monuments Men: The Coronation Chamber of Hitler|Robert Edsel|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes I am up, unfurled, engaged in the current of the world around me.
After War: Anger, Panic, and Sometimes Peace|Benjamin Tupper|June 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He walked to the back of the room, where another young man unfurled a Palestinian flag and joined him in marching out.
Olmert Heckled Again—This Time From the Left|Sigal Samuel|June 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In several places on the Island the flag of rebellion had been unfurled, and General Riosʼ troops showed them no quarter.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Mrs. Crichell unfurled her fan, which was of black feathers like some big wing.
Happy House|Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
He saw the sail of "number four" mast sprawling loose in its lazy-jacks, unfurled and showing a tumbled expanse of canvas.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
The dust is on their corselets; Their marching fills the world; With conquest after conquest Their banners are unfurled.
Songs from Vagabondia|Bliss Carman and Richard Hovey
The banner of freedom (the fan) was unfurled and waved on high, the national song was chanted, and the war began.
Three Margarets|Laura E. Richards

British Dictionary definitions for unfurl

unfurl

/ (ʌnˈfɜːl) /

verb

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

unfurl

Origin of unfurl

OTHER WORDS FROM unfurl

Words related to unfurl

How to use unfurl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for unfurl