unwind
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to undo or loosen from or as if from a coiled condition.
to unwind a rolled bandage; to unwind a coiled rope.
-
to reduce the tension of; relax.
to unwind a person with a drink.
-
to disentangle or disengage; untwist.
to unwind one's legs from around the stool.
verb (used without object)
-
to become unwound.
-
to become relieved of tension; relax.
After work we can have a drink and unwind.
verb
-
to slacken, undo, or unravel or cause to slacken, undo, or unravel
-
(tr) to disentangle
-
to make or become relaxed
he finds it hard to unwind after a busy day at work
Other Word Forms
- unwindable adjective
- unwinder noun
Etymology
Origin of unwind
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English onwinden; un- 2, wind 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Maybe a kitchen detour was just what we needed to unwind after the insane adventures we’d just been on.
From Literature
The U.S. activist investor said key elements of the stand-alone plan included unwinding cross-shareholdings and ceasing overinvestment in the automotive segment.
Some analysts expect the remaining curbs to be unwound within six months, while others see the process stretching to year-end.
Still, the reversal for the chip sector could suggest an unwinding of one of the most crowded AI trades, as investors have dumped software stocks in recent months to buy into AI infrastructure names.
From MarketWatch
One of his arguments about an Ethereum bounce has to do with how much the crypto has unwound its prior bull market.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
