unfold
gb/ʌnfˈoʊld/ us/ʌnfˈoʊld/
A2
Kiingereza
~ 5900
Maana
maana 0
Kitenzi
B2
action
1
develop or become clearer
To slowly happen or become clear over time.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[event/situation/story] unfolds
Kosa la kawaida:
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.
Visawe
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.)
Vinyume
end (Describes something finishing rather than continuing or developing over time.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
the story unfolds
|events unfold
|drama unfolds
|as the day unfolds
|watch [something] unfold
|the plot unfolds
Mada
time
|events
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Kitenzi
A2
action
2
open something that is folded
To open something that was folded, like paper or clothes, so it becomes flat.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to unfold [something]
Kosa la kawaida:
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.
Visawe
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.)
Vinyume
fold (Opposite action; means to bend something so it takes up less space.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
unfold a map
|unfold a letter
|unfold a blanket
|unfold the stroller
|unfold her arms
|unfold the paper
Mada
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Kitenzi
C1
action
3
open out from a closed state
To slowly open and spread out from a closed form.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[something] unfolds
Kosa la kawaida:
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.
Visawe
open out (Very similar in meaning; often a little more informal and common in everyday speech.)
Vinyume
fold up (Describes something closing or bending into a smaller, folded form.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
the leaves unfold
|wings unfold
|the sofa unfolds into a bed
|the landscape unfolds before [someone]
Mada
nature
|technology
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Kitenzi
formal
C1
action
4
explain gradually in detail
To explain something slowly and in detail so people can understand it.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to unfold [a story/plan/idea]
Kosa la kawaida:
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.
Visawe
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.)
Vinyume
conceal (Means to keep information hidden instead of sharing or explaining it.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
unfold his plan
|unfold the story
|unfold her vision
|unfold the details
Mada
communication
|education
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
unfold
IPA
GB/ʌnfˈoʊld/
US/ʌnfˈoʊld/
Silabi na mkazo
un - fold (silabi 2)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fold)
Maumbo ya neno
Verb
- Base: unfold
- 3rd Person Singular: unfolds
- Present Participle: unfolding
- Past: unfolded
Familia ya neno
Semi
Bado hakuna semi zilizounganishwa na ingizo hili.