verb
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untangle
uhn-TANG-guhl
Untangle (verb) means to free something from knots or tangles. Example: “It took ten minutes to untangle the necklace chain.”
verb
1
To free something from knots or tangles.
"With gentle combing, untangle your hair."
"It took ten minutes to untangle the necklace chain."
2
To sort out something confusing or complicated.
"Lawyers spent months trying to untangle the company's finances."
How to use untangle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo undo knots — literal ones or a confusing, tangled-up situation.
Common pairings
untangle a knot
untangle the mess
untangle the situation
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- untangles
- Past tense
- untangled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took ten minutes to _____ the necklace chain.
Etymology
Formed from un- and tangle.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for untangle
See all rhymes for untangle →Frequently asked questions
What does “untangle” mean?
The word “untangle” means to free something from knots or tangles. In plain terms, to undo knots — literal ones or a confusing, tangled-up situation.
How do you pronounce “untangle”?
“Untangle” is pronounced uhn-TANG-guhl (/ʌnˈtæŋ.ɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “untangle” in a sentence?
Here is “untangle” used in a sentence: “It took ten minutes to untangle the necklace chain.”
What is another word for “untangle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “untangle” include disentangle, feeze, tease out, unravel and unsnarl.
What is the opposite of “untangle”?
The opposite of “untangle” — its antonyms — is tangle.
What part of speech is “untangle”?
“Untangle” is a verb.
How many meanings does “untangle” have?
“Untangle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to free something from knots or tangles.
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