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Definition of unfurl

unfurl

/ʌnˈfɝːl/
un · furl
Adjective:unfurled
•
Past Simple:unfurled
•
Past Participle:unfurled
•
Present Participle:unfurling
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unfurl Lexical Profile

unfurl Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To unroll, unfold, or spread out from a rolled or folded state (especially of a sail, flag, umbrella, or leaf).

Example

"The crew worked quickly to unfurl the mainsail as the afternoon breeze picked up across the bay."

2

To develop, reveal, or become apparent gradually over time (of a plan, story, or sequence of events).

Example

"A complex mystery began to unfurl as the historians translated the newly discovered letters."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for unfurl

• Nearby Words

unfulfillment
unfunded
unfunny
unfurl
unfurnished
unfurrowed
unfused

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-17th century from the prefix 'un-' (expressing reversal) and 'furl', which derives from Old French 'ferler', a combination of 'ferm' (firm) and 'lier' (to bind).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unfurl. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unfurl
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