unfold
gb/ʌnfˈoʊld/ us/ʌnfˈoʊld/
A2
English
~ 5900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
develop or become clearer
To slowly happen or become clear over time.
Usage pattern:
[event/situation/story] unfolds
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "unfold" for quick, one-time events, for example, "The accident unfolded yesterday." In these cases, "happened" or "occurred" is more natural. "Unfold" usually suggests a process that develops or becomes clear step by step.
Synonyms
develop (More general; does not always suggest that the process is being watched or discovered bit by bit.)
|
evolve (Often suggests slow, natural change rather than the gradual revealing of information.)
Antonyms
end (Describes something finishing rather than continuing or developing over time.)
Collocations
the story unfolds
|events unfold
|drama unfolds
|as the day unfolds
|watch [something] unfold
|the plot unfolds
Themes
time
|events
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- As the investigation unfolded, more details about the fraud came to light.
- We sat by the window and watched the city’s rush-hour chaos unfold below us.
- Over the next few weeks, the full impact of the decision slowly unfolded.
- The documentary follows the story as it unfolds in real time.
- No one knew exactly how the crisis would unfold over the following months.
Learner examples
- We will see how the game unfolds.
- As the night unfolded, everyone became more relaxed.
- The story unfolds slowly, but it is very interesting.
- Over time, the truth unfolded.
- Let’s wait and see what unfolds.
Verb
A2
action
2
open something that is folded
To open something that was folded, like paper or clothes, so it becomes flat.
Usage pattern:
to unfold [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "unfold" with things that are not folded, for example, "unfold the door" or "unfold the box." In these cases, "open" is correct: "open the door," "open the box." Use "unfold" when something has been folded, like paper, fabric, or arms.
Synonyms
open (Very general; does not always involve something that was folded, and can also refer to doors, windows, or containers.)
|
spread out (Emphasizes making something wide and flat, often used for cloth, paper, or maps.)
Antonyms
fold (Opposite action; means to bend something so it takes up less space.)
Collocations
unfold a map
|unfold a letter
|unfold a blanket
|unfold the stroller
|unfold her arms
|unfold the paper
Themes
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She carefully unfolded the letter and began to read.
- He unfolded the map on the table to show us the route.
- The flight attendant unfolded the emergency instructions for the passenger.
- I unfolded the blanket and laid it on the grass for the picnic.
- She unfolded her arms and gave him a hug.
Learner examples
- He unfolded the paper and looked at it.
- Please unfold the blanket and put it on the bed.
- She unfolded the map to find the small town.
- I unfolded the chair and sat down.
- The child unfolded the card to see the picture inside.
Verb
C1
action
3
open out from a closed state
To slowly open and spread out from a closed form.
Usage pattern:
[something] unfolds
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense can describe natural or automatic movement, so they sometimes add an unnecessary object, for example, "The leaves unfold themselves." In standard English, "The leaves unfold" is enough.
Synonyms
open out (Very similar in meaning; often a little more informal and common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
fold up (Describes something closing or bending into a smaller, folded form.)
Collocations
the leaves unfold
|wings unfold
|the sofa unfolds into a bed
|the landscape unfolds before [someone]
Themes
nature
|technology
Examples
- In spring, the young leaves slowly unfold on the trees.
- The sofa unfolds into a comfortable double bed.
- We watched as the butterfly’s wings unfolded in the warm sunlight.
- From the top of the hill, the valley unfolded below us.
- The metal ladder unfolds when you pull the handle.
Learner examples
- In the morning, the flower unfolds its petals.
- The small table unfolds when we need more space.
- The wings of the toy plane unfold when it starts to fly.
- The bed unfolds from the wall in this small room.
- The map slowly unfolds when you pull this tab.
Verb
formal
C1
action
4
explain gradually in detail
To explain something slowly and in detail so people can understand it.
Usage pattern:
to unfold [a story/plan/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this formal sense where simple verbs like "tell" or "explain" are more natural, for example, "He unfolded me the rules." Instead say, "He explained the rules to me." Use "unfold" in this way mainly in more formal writing or storytelling.
Synonyms
reveal (Focuses on making something known, not always on explaining it step by step.)
|
lay out (More informal; common when talking about plans or ideas in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to keep information hidden instead of sharing or explaining it.)
Collocations
unfold his plan
|unfold the story
|unfold her vision
|unfold the details
Themes
communication
|education
Examples
- Over dinner, he unfolded his plan for the new community center.
- The author slowly unfolds the history of the town through the voices of different characters.
- She unfolded her vision for the company’s future to the board of directors.
- During the lecture, the professor unfolded the complex theory in simple steps.
- He unfolded the full story of what had happened that night.
Learner examples
- The teacher unfolded the idea in small steps.
- He unfolded his plan to his friends.
- The speaker unfolded the story of her life to the audience.
- She unfolded her vision for the project to the team.
- In the book, the writer unfolds the past of the main character.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unfold
IPA
GB/ʌnfˈoʊld/
US/ʌnfˈoʊld/
Syllables & stress
un - fold (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fold)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: unfold
- 3rd Person Singular: unfolds
- Present Participle: unfolding
- Past: unfolded
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.