unfurl

American  

[uhn-furl] / ʌnˈfɜrl /

verb (used with object)

1. to spread or shake out from a furled state, as a sail or a flag; unfold.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become unfurled.

unfurl British  

/ ʌnˈfɜːl /

verb

1. to unroll, unfold, or spread out or be unrolled, unfolded, or spread out from a furled state

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Other Word Forms

• unfurlable adjective

Etymology

Origin of unfurl

First recorded in 1635–45; un- ² + furl

Example Sentences

Needing to be unfurled twice, like a travel brochure, the smartphone packs a display measuring 10 inches diagonally when fully opened—almost as big as a standard tablet.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hüller’s voice begins small before unfurling into a mighty, sonorant exclamation until it’s brought back down again, like a woman who’s reluctant to let herself have too much faith in the impossible.

From Salon

BOGOTA, Colombia—They were on their feet long before the final out was recorded—beer sloshing, tri-color flags unfurling, voices cracking—and not just for Tuesday night’s baseball victory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Potted plants crowded some of them, pink and gold bougainvillea unfurling over wooden rails painted red or black.

From Literature

But risks do lie in the indirect macroeconomic forces that could unfurl if the conflict drags on or intensifies, they say in a report.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• unfold
• unroll
• unwind