Synonyms

unroll

American

[uhn-rohl] / ʌnˈroʊl /

verb (used with object)

to open or spread out (something rolled or coiled).

to unroll a bolt of fabric.
to lay open; display; reveal.
Obsolete. to strike from a roll or register.

verb (used without object)

to become unrolled or spread out.

The scrolls unroll easily.
to become continuously visible or apparent.

The landscape unrolled before our eyes.

unroll British

/ ʌnˈrəʊl /

verb

to open out or unwind (something rolled, folded, or coiled) or (of something rolled, etc) to become opened out or unwound
to make or become visible or apparent, esp gradually; unfold

"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

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of unroll

First recorded in 1375–1425, unroll is from the late Middle English word unrollen. See un- ², roll

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.

Now slice the cylinder open and unroll it to get a flat rectangular sheet.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026

"We have to work out which layer is different from the next layer so we can unroll that digitally," said Dr Mancuso.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2025

Then, it was time to unroll the stunning red and gold area rug.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

Dr. Seales released his images, and the computer code he used to unroll the scrolls.

From NewsForKids.net • Oct. 25, 2023

The Ghost tucks the note into his jacket and doesn’t unroll it until we’re out in the woods, with only moonlight to see by.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023