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; see un- ², wind ²

Explanation

The literal meaning of the verb unwind is exactly what it sounds like — the opposite of "wind," or twist. But when someone says they need to unwind, they mean that they need to relax. When you come inside on a cold, snowy day, you might first unwind the scarf from around your neck, loosening and untwisting it. If you then grab a cup of hot chocolate and put your feet up on the coffee table, you’ll feel yourself start to unwind, or become less tense. Unwind has been in use since the fourteenth century, but the figurative meaning of “to relax” dates only from the mid-twentieth century.

Example Sentences

When Sun’s tokens were frozen following the 20% unlocking in September, traders speculated that the move came because he had attempted to unwind his large holdings, threatening to tank WLFI’s price.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

It’s my guilty pleasure and helps me unwind.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Chevron and Exxon Mobil saw Q1 gains of 36% and 41% respectively, a trade likely to unwind if the Iran war concludes.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

“The buy side frequently reminds us to ‘never confuse a momentum unwind day with a real bid in software,’” wrote Jeffrey Favuzza, a trading-desk analyst with Jefferies, in a note to clients.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

I unwind the wool scarf from around my head, folding it to hide its ragged ends, and hand my papers to him.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

• loosen
• unfurl
• unravel