ravel
ravel — verb
- ravelpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ravelshe / she / it
- ravelledpast simple
- raveledpast simple
- ravelling-ing form
- raveling-ing form
1. to undo the threads of a tangled or knotted piece of material, separating them s
to undo the threads of a tangled or knotted piece of material, separating them so they become single and loose again, or for threads or fabric to become undone in this way by themselves
Padma carefully raveled the tangled necklace chain using a small pin.
ravel + direct object + method/tool
The old woollen scarf began to ravel at the cuffs after years of daily use.
intransitive: fabric ravels (comes undone)
Asher raveled the knotted fishing line strand by strand until it was usable again.
A loose thread caught on a drawer handle and caused the whole seam to ravel.
The designer raveled the silk threads from the old dress to reuse for embroidery.
- unravel
more common synonym; 'unravel' is far more frequent in everyday English while 'ravel' is rarer and more literary
- disentangle
more formal; works for both threads and abstract situations
- untangle
more common in everyday speech; usually implies physical tangles
文法句型
ravel + noun phrase (transitive)
ravel (intransitive, especially of fabric/threads)
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive or middle-voice patterns (the fabric ravels easily). This sense often describes physical materials — thread, wool, rope, fabric — rather than abstract situations. Distinguish from UNRAVEL THREADS (verb/1) which is the physical undoing, versus COMPLICATE (verb/2) which is the opposite meaning of making things tangled.
常見錯誤
2. to cause a problem, situation, or relationship to become harder to understand or
to cause a problem, situation, or relationship to become harder to understand or deal with, or for something to grow more confused
The lawyer's confusing questions only served to ravel the case further.
transitive: ravel + abstract noun (case/situation)
Esteban worried that his silence would ravel his relationship with his business partner.
The political disagreement raveled the peace negotiations until no one trusted anyone.
Each new regulation seemed to ravel the already complex tax system beyond repair.
Without clear communication, the project plans began to ravel and nobody knew their role.
- complicate
far more common and neutral; 'ravel' is literary and rarer
- confuse
less formal; focuses on mental uncertainty rather than structural complexity
- entangle
can mean both literal and figurative entanglement; similar register to 'ravel'
文法句型
ravel + abstract noun (transitive)
ravel (intransitive, of situations)
用法筆記
This sense is the opposite of the first verb sense (UNRAVEL THREADS). Here 'ravel' means to make tangled or confused, rather than to untangle. Subject is usually an abstract noun (question, disagreement, regulation) rather than a person. Frequently used in formal or literary contexts; in everyday speech, 'complicate' is much more common.
常見錯誤
ravel — noun
1. the process or result of threads, fibres, or fabric becoming untangled and comin
the process or result of threads, fibres, or fabric becoming untangled and coming apart, or of something being unravelled
The constant ravel of the cheap yarn during the knitting class frustrated everyone.
countable noun: a ravel (a process/result)
After the ravel of the tapestry's edge, the pattern became impossible to restore.
Each ravel of the old scarf left loose coloured strands on the table.
The careful ravel of the embroidery took longer than the original stitching did.
- unravelling
far more common; the everyday noun form of the same process
- fraying
specifically of fabric edges becoming worn, not of threads being deliberately separated
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English. Most speakers use 'unravelling' instead of 'a ravel' for the noun form. This sense is closest to the verb sense UNRAVEL THREADS (verb/1).
2. a twisted, knotted, or confused mass of threads, hair, wires, or similar materia
a twisted, knotted, or confused mass of threads, hair, wires, or similar material that is difficult to separate
The child's hair was a ravel of knots that took an hour to brush out.
a ravel of + noun phrase
Behind the old desk lay a ravel of dusty cables and tangled telephone wires.
The cleaner found a ravel of discarded wool in the bottom of the storage box.
Stephanie tried sorting through the ravel of ribbons but gave up and bought new ones.
用法筆記
Always used with an 'of'-phrase specifying what is tangled (a ravel of cables/hair/wool). This sense aligns with the 'tangled/complicated' side of the verb, though it describes concrete tangles, not abstract ones.
3. loose threads or fibres that have come away from a woven or knitted fabric, ofte
loose threads or fibres that have come away from a woven or knitted fabric, often collected after unravelling a piece of material
The basket on the shelf was filled with colourful ravels from the old tapestry.
plural: ravels (separated threads)
Wei gathered the silk ravels from the old dress and stored them for craft projects.
The tailor collected every ravel of thread from the floor to keep the workroom tidy.
Padma used spare ravels from the curtains to patch holes in the cushion covers.
用法筆記
Typically used in the plural (ravels) to refer to several loose strands. This sense corresponds to the OUTCOME of the verb sense UNRAVEL THREADS — the separated threads are themselves called ravels. Distinguish from TANGLED MASS (noun/2) where the threads are still twisted together.