[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/unfold/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [U](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/u/) / unfold

# unfold

verb (unfold, unfolds, unfolded, unfolding)

«unfold» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To open something that was folded so it lies flat or spreads out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#m1)
2. (of a story or events) To happen or become known little by little. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#m2)
3. (of a leaf, flower or wing) To open out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life you unfold a map, a letter or a towel. In stories and the news «events unfolded» means things happened one after another and we learnt about them slowly. In maths, unfolding a paper shape or a box shows its net. Phrases: «unfold a map», «as the story unfolds», «watch events unfold».

### Examples

- Unfold the map so we can find the beach. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x1)
- She unfolded the letter and began to read. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x2)
- As the story unfolds, we find out who the thief is. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x3)
- We watched the race unfold on the big screen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x4)
- In spring the new leaves unfold on the trees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x5)
- The butterfly slowly unfolded its wings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x6)
- If you unfold the cereal box, you can see its net. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x7)
- Oh! what wonders and splendours unfolded themselves before Elsa’s astonished eyes! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb: unfolded, unfolding. The opposite of «fold». The prefix «un-» here means «undo», not «not». For a story it is often used without an object: «the plot unfolds».

## In Jewish tradition

In everyday life you unfold a map, a letter or a towel. In stories and the news «events unfolded» means things happened one after another and we learnt about them slowly. In maths, unfolding a paper shape or a box shows its net. Phrases: «unfold a map», «as the story unfolds», «watch events unfold».

### Examples

- But every attempt to unfold this mystery has hitherto been unsuccessful". (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unfold/#x1)

### Note

Regular verb: unfolded, unfolding. The opposite of «fold». The prefix «un-» here means «undo», not «not». For a story it is often used without an object: «the plot unfolds».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «unfold» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unfold/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unfold» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unfold.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «unfold» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unfold/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unfold» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/unfold.html) on Mova free.