verb

unwind

uhn-WYND

Unwind (verb) means to relax and let go of stress after a busy or tense period. Example: “She likes to unwind with a book after work.”

verb

To relax and let go of stress after a busy or tense period.

"She likes to unwind with a book after work."

"We spent the weekend unwinding at the coast."

To undo something that has been wound or twisted, or to reverse a complicated arrangement.

"The technician had to unwind the tangled cable."

"The bank slowly unwound its risky investment position."

How to use unwind

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither to relax after stress, or to undo/reverse something that was wound up or complicated.

Common pairings

unwind after work unwind a position unwind a deal

Word forms

unwound past tense, unwinds plural, unwinds singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She likes to _____ with a book after work.

Etymology

From Old English unwindan, from un- (\"reversal\") plus wind (\"to coil\").

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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relax decompress unlax unroll unbend wind off unstrain loosen up slow down disentangle make relaxed

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “unwind” mean?

The word “unwind” means to relax and let go of stress after a busy or tense period. In plain terms, either to relax after stress, or to undo/reverse something that was wound up or complicated.

How do you pronounce “unwind”?

“Unwind” is pronounced uhn-WYND (/ʌnˈwaɪnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “unwind” in a sentence?

Here is “unwind” used in a sentence: “She likes to unwind with a book after work.”

What part of speech is “unwind”?

“Unwind” is a verb.

Where does the word “unwind” come from?

The word “unwind” comes from Old English. From Old English unwindan, from un- (\"reversal\") plus wind (\"to coil\").

How many meanings does “unwind” have?

“Unwind” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to relax and let go of stress after a busy or tense period.

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