Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense unwinds, present participle unwinding, past tense, past participle unwound
1. verb
When you unwind, you relax after you have done something that makes you tense or tired.
It helps them to unwind after a busy day at work. [VERB]
Singing is a nice way of unwinding. [VERB]
Synonyms: relax, wind down, take it easy, slow down More Synonyms of unwind
2. verb
If you unwind a length of something that is wrapped round something else or round itself, you loosen it and make it straight. You can also say that it unwinds.
One of them unwound a length of rope from around his waist. [VERB noun]
The thread unwound a little more. [VERB]
Synonyms: unravel, undo, uncoil, slacken More Synonyms of unwind
unwind in British English
(ʌnˈwaɪnd)
verbWord forms: -winds, -winding or -wound
1.
to slacken, undo, or unravel or cause to slacken, undo, or unravel
2. (transitive)
to disentangle
3.
to make or become relaxed
he finds it hard to unwind after a busy day at work
Derived forms
unwindable (unˈwindable)
adjective
unwinder (unˈwinder)
noun
unwind in American English
(ʌnˈwaɪnd)
verb transitiveWord forms: unˈwound or unˈwinding
1.
to wind off or undo (something wound)
2.
uncoil
3.
to straighten out or untangle (something confused or involved)
4.
to make relaxed, less tense, etc.
verb intransitive
5.
to become unwound
6.
to become relaxed, less tense, etc.
Word origin
ME unwinden < OE unwindan
Examples of 'unwind' in a sentence
unwind
It's the perfect place to unwind after a day 's exploring.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We need time to relax and unwind.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The point of all this is that it will one day unwind.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This is an island on which to relax and unwind in peace and tranquillity.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is far less time to unwind and relax than there was.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Let her unwind and relax in a lengthy bubble bath.
The Sun (2012)
It is a perfect place to relax and unwind in complete privacy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
After a game you want to relax and unwind.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The bank took three days to unwind its positions at a time of wild movements in share prices.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Others come after work to unwind.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is the perfect place to unwind after a day 's exploring.
The Sun (2014)
If it takes you a day to unwind, extend your trip overnight.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Most people come to relax, unwind and spend some quality family time.
The Sun (2011)
It was my reward, a way to unwind and relax.
The Sun (2012)
It's my way of relaxing and unwinding.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
During the campaign she was asked how she relaxed, to which she retorted that working is unwinding.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You can unwind after a day of sunbathing in the gorgeous lounge bar in the reception, just as the stars did.
The Sun (2016)
You arrive by air and spend your days unwinding, listening to the sounds of the jungle and hiking or canoeing in the forest.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Take a day or two before you go away otherwise you'll be so wound up it will take a few days to unwind.
The Sun (2009)
I explain that it is a period of time away from the usual cut and thrust of daily life to unwind and recharge batteries.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
When they unwind these trades, the whiplash could hurt more than just the Japanese.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You're good company in the right mood, so maybe taking a day off to unwind would be your best option here.
The Sun (2016)
In other languages
unwind
British English: unwind /ʌnˈwaɪnd/ VERB
When you unwind after working hard, you relax.
This is the perfect place to unwind.
American English: unwind
Arabic: يَسْتَرْخِي
Brazilian Portuguese: relaxar
Chinese: 放松
Croatian: opustiti se
Czech: uvolnit se z únavy
Danish: slappe af
Dutch: ontspannen
European Spanish: desconectar cuerda
Finnish: purkaa keriä auki
French: dérouler
German: abwickeln Spule
Greek: ξεκουρδίζω
Italian: rilassarsi
Japanese: ほどく
Korean: (감은 것을) 풀다
Norwegian: vikle av
Polish: rozwinąć np. bandaż
European Portuguese: relaxar
Romanian: a se liniști
Russian: раскручивать
Latin American Spanish: desenrollar
Swedish: varva ner
Thai: คลายเครียด
Turkish: açmak sargı
Ukrainian: відпочивати
Vietnamese: tháo ra
Chinese translation of 'unwind'
unwind
(ʌnˈwaɪnd)
Word forms:ptppunwound
vt
[bandage, scarf etc]解开(開) (jiěkāi)
vi
(= relax) 放松 (fàngsōng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to relax after a busy or tense time
It helps them to unwind after a busy day at work.
Synonyms
relax
I ought to relax and stop worrying about it.
wind down
I need a cup of tea to help me wind down.
take it easy
slow down
You will need to slow down for a while.
sit back
calm down
take a break
loosen up
Relax, smile; loosen up in mind and body.
quieten down
let yourself go
mellow out (informal)
make yourself at home
outspan (South Africa)
Let's take a break and just outspan for a while.
2 (verb)
Definition
to slacken, undo, or unravel
One of them unwound a length of rope from around his waist.
Synonyms
unravel
He could unravel knots that others could not even attempt.
undo
I managed to undo a corner of the parcel.
uncoil
slacken
disentangle
The rope could not be disentangled and had to be cut.
unroll
unreel
untwist
untwine
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disentangle
Definition
to release from entanglement or confusion
The rope could not be disentangled and had to be cut.