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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

untie

uhn-TEYE

Untie (verb) means to undo a knot or something tied. Example: “She knelt down to untie her shoelaces.”

verb
1
To undo a knot or something tied.
"She knelt down to untie her shoelaces."
"He untied the boat from the dock before rowing out."
2
To free someone or something from being bound.
"The hostages were finally untied and allowed to leave."

How to use untie

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo loosen or undo something that was tied.

Common pairings
untie a knot untie your shoelaces

Word forms

untied past tense, unties singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She knelt down to _____ her shoelaces.

Etymology

From Middle English untien, unteyen, untyȝen, untiȝen, from Old English untīġan (“to untie”), equivalent to un- + tie.

Origin: Middle English

Antonyms

tie

Related words

Rhymes for untie

See all rhymes for untie →

Frequently asked questions

What does “untie” mean?

The word “untie” means to undo a knot or something tied. In plain terms, to loosen or undo something that was tied.

How do you pronounce “untie”?

“Untie” is pronounced uhn-TEYE (/ʌnˈtaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “untie” in a sentence?

Here is “untie” used in a sentence: “She knelt down to untie her shoelaces.”

What is another word for “untie”?

Words with a similar meaning to “untie” include unfasten.

What is the opposite of “untie”?

The opposite of “untie” — its antonyms — is tie.

What part of speech is “untie”?

“Untie” is a verb.

How many meanings does “untie” have?

“Untie” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to undo a knot or something tied.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary