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

Simultaneously this triggered a major unwind in what investors refer to as the basis trade in bitcoin/Strategy, whereby funds like Jane Street were rumored to be long the cryptocurrency but short Michael Saylor’s company.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

The auction could become complicated particularly if Providence decides to unwind the business.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

The ruling doesn’t unwind the deal, but does bar Nexstar from integrating with Tegna while the antitrust case proceeds.

From Barron's • Apr. 18, 2026

Each sign of renewed dialogue has pushed prices lower, as traders unwind the war premium built into crude earlier this month, the senior market analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Finally she sat on the bed to unwind her hair.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• loosen
• unfurl
• unravel