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Definition of unspool

unspool

/ʌnˈspuːl/
un · spool
Adjective:unspooled
•
Past Simple:unspooled
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Past Participle:unspooled
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Present Participle:unspooling
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unspool Lexical Profile

unspool Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To unwind or cause to unwind from a spool, reel, or cylindrical core (such as thread, wire, or film).

Example

"The tailor carefully unspooled several yards of silk thread before cutting it."

2

To unfold, develop, or be revealed gradually in sequence (especially of a narrative, memory, or series of events).

Example

"Over the course of the three-hour documentary, the complex history of the region slowly unspools."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for unspool

• Nearby Words

unspoken
unsponsored
unspontaneous
unspool
unsporting
unsportsmanlike
unspotted

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English from the reversative prefix 'un-' and 'spool', which derives from Middle Dutch 'spoele', referring to a weaver's bobbin or quill.

Cite this Entry

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