unwind

American  

[uhn-wahynd] / ʌnˈwaɪnd /

verb (used with object)

unwound, unwinding

1. to undo or loosen from or as if from a coiled condition.

   to unwind a rolled bandage; to unwind a coiled rope.

2. to reduce the tension of; relax.

   to unwind a person with a drink.

3. to disentangle or disengage; untwist.

   to unwind one's legs from around the stool.

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verb (used without object)

unwound, unwinding

1. to become unwound.

2. to become relieved of tension; relax.

   After work we can have a drink and unwind.

unwind British  

/ ʌnˈwaɪnd /

verb

1. to slacken, undo, or unravel or cause to slacken, undo, or unravel

2. (tr) to disentangle

3. to make or become relaxed

   he finds it hard to unwind after a busy day at work

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Other Word Forms

• unwindable adjective
• unwinder noun

Etymology

Origin of unwind

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English onwinden; un- ², wind ²

Example Sentences

Consumer companies were one of the last remaining sectors featuring sprawling conglomerates and many have unveiled plans to unwind those structures in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Skilled watchmaker’s fingers closed over mine and gently unwound them.

From Literature

“A lot of the narratives we started the year with have started to unwind.”

From The Wall Street Journal

I unwound the old sheet from around my middle, and me and Lloyd climbed the ladder to the bell tower like two squirrels up a shellbark hickory.

From Literature

He unwound the bandage on his forearm .and fear settled on him like an icy fog.

From Literature

Related Words

• loosen
• unfurl
• unravel