untie

[uhn-tahy]

verb (used with object)

untied, untying 

1. to loose or unfasten (anything tied); let or set loose by undoing a knot.

2. to undo the string or cords of.

3. to undo, as a cord or a knot; unknot.

4. to free from restraint.

5. to resolve, as perplexities.

verb (used without object)

untied, untying 

1. to become untied.

untie

/ ʌnˈtaɪ /

verb

1. to unfasten or free (a knot or something that is tied) or (of a knot or something that is tied) to become unfastened

2. (tr) to free from constraint or restriction

Word History and Origins

Origin of untie¹

before 1000; Middle English untyen, Old English untīegan. See un- ², tie

Example Sentences

“Impossible to untie. Which is why it was so kind of you to leave a knife within reach.”

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Once his hands were free, Penelope quickly untied the gag.

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As a gesture of true camaraderie, they grin and untie their own blue pañuelos and tie these kerchiefs around our necks.

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His growing eccentricity, which included untied shoelaces and hair that spiked out in all directions, completed the stock image of a distracted scientist.

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The robot untied the bow and tore off the paper and lifted the lid from the box.

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Related Words

• disentangle 
• loosen 
• untangle