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

TSA has often been a crapshoot, risking pileups as travelers pulled laptops from carry-ons and novice vacationers struggled to untie their sneakers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He said they were given life jackets, their hands were untied - and they were told to jump into the water.

Read more on BBC

Kardashian was quickly able to untie herself and her bodyguard arrived shortly after.

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She and Melissa take it out, and then they realize they have to put it back in so he doesn't know that they're untied.

Read more on Salon

"The person who tied the bell must untie it," he added.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• disentangle 
• loosen 
• untangle