unspool

American  

[uhn-spool] / ʌnˈspul /

verb

1. to unwind from a spool, as of wire, tape, film, etc.

2. to unravel; destroy or be destroyed steadily or gradually.

3. to perform (an action or movement) or be performed in a smooth, swift, graceful way, as if unrolling from a spool.

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Explanation

To unspool is to unwind something that's coiled around a cylinder. If your cat unspools your thread, it'll be impossible to get it all untangled and wound back up. Anything that's wound around into a spool or coil, can be unspooled. You might unspool the garden hose to fill up a backyard kiddie pool, or unspool the enormous amount of spaghetti from your fork and start over. Figuratively, something that's gracefully or smoothly rolled out is also unspooled: "Grandma loves to unspool a real nail-biter of a story after dinner."

Example Sentences

Consider it a thought exercise to explore how the global economic damage might unspool.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Nuzzi is now promoting her new book, “American Canto,” published Tuesday, while Lizza continues to unspool a salacious, serialized version of his side of the story on Substack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

In “Presence,” we’re rarely allowed to forget that we are an interloper in the lives of a family as they slowly unspool.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2025

Ever since the advent of third-wave feminism, explanations of the appeal of revealing clothing tend to unspool the same way: Women aren’t dressing to attract men, the argument goes.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2024

Ophie fell quiet as the story of a man falling in love with an Indian princess on a rugged frontier began to unspool.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland