unfolded
unfolded — verb
- unfoldedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unfoldeds3rd person singular
- unfoldeding-ing form
- unfoldededpast simple
1. to take something that was bent or creased and make it lie flat, so that every p
to take something that was bent or creased and make it lie flat, so that every part is open to view — for example, spreading a folded newspaper open across a desk or pulling out a camping chair to its full size.
Daichi carefully unfolded the old map and spread it across the kitchen table.
unfold + object (map, paper, clothing)
The camping chairs unfold in seconds and are easy to carry.
intransitive: object unfolds by itself
Elena unfolded the letter and read it twice before answering.
The flower petals slowly unfolded in the warm morning sun.
Leo unfolded the blanket and laid it out on the grass for the picnic.
- open
more general; 'open' can mean pulling apart, lifting a lid, or undoing a seal, while 'unfold' is specific to reversing folds
- spread out
emphasises covering a larger area; 'spread out' often implies laying something flat across a surface
- unfurl
specifically for things that are rolled up, like flags, sails, or umbrellas
- straighten
focuses on removing creases or making something straight, not necessarily from a folded state
- fold
to bend something so that one part lies on top of another
文法句型
unfold + noun phrase
unfold (no object)
用法筆記
Frequently used with physical objects that have been deliberately folded: maps, letters, newspapers, blankets, napkins, clothing, or wings/ petals in natural contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to happen or reveal itself one step after another, so that the full picture of a
to happen or reveal itself one step after another, so that the full picture of an event, story, or process only emerges over time — for example, a political crisis gradually revealing its consequences, or a romance between characters becoming visible as a novel progresses.
The story of how the rescue happened unfolded over the next few days.
unfold (intransitive) for situations and stories
Gabriel watched the events unfold on the television news from his hotel room.
As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the group disagreed on the budget.
Jessica and her brother watched the drama unfold from their bedroom window.
The full extent of the damage only unfolded after the floodwaters went down.
- develop
broader meaning; 'develop' can be used for skills, relationships, and ideas, while 'unfold' has a connotation of revelation and clarity
- emerge
focuses on coming into view; 'emerge' suggests something hidden becoming visible
- evolve
suggests gradual change over a longer period, often with transformation
- transpire
more formal; 'transpire' means to happen or become known, often unexpectedly
- remain unclear
to stay unknown or not yet revealed
文法句型
unfold (no object)
as + noun phrase + unfolds
用法筆記
Only intransitive — the situation itself unfolds; you cannot say 'The news unfolded the situation.' Use 'as [subject] unfolds' to introduce background events: 'As the trial unfolded, new evidence appeared.'
常見錯誤
3. to share information or present a sequence of events to someone in small stages,
to share information or present a sequence of events to someone in small stages, so that the listener learns each part one after another — like a witness gradually giving new facts about an incident, or a friend describing the full itinerary of a trip.
During dinner, Felix unfolded his plan to start a new business.
unfold + plan/details: transitive with a person as subject
The detective slowly unfolded the details of the case to the young woman's family.
Amelia unfolded her vision for the community garden at the town meeting.
Noah unfolded the story of his travels through Southeast Asia to his classmates.
- reveal
stronger emphasis on making something previously hidden known; 'reveal' can be a single event or fact
- explain
more general, focuses on making something understandable, not necessarily gradual
- disclose
more formal, often used for official or private information being made known
- narrate
specifically about telling a story, more literary in tone
- conceal
to keep something hidden or secret
文法句型
unfold + noun phrase (story/plan/details)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (DEVELOP): here a person is the active subject and deliberately tells or explains something; in sense 2 the events themselves develop over time without an active storyteller.
常見錯誤
unfolded — adjective
- unfoldedpositive
- more unfoldedcomparative
- most unfoldedsuperlative
1. in a flat, open state, not bent over or doubled up — describes something that ha
in a flat, open state, not bent over or doubled up — describes something that has been left flat instead of being creased or placed in a folded arrangement.
Grace placed the unfolded shirt on the ironing board.
modifier before noun: unfolded + clothing/fabric
An unfolded map lay open on the passenger seat of the car.
The instructions were printed on a single unfolded sheet of paper.
Thomas kept the napkin unfolded on his lap during the entire meal.
Zoe drew a large picture on an unfolded piece of cardboard.
- open
more general; 'open' works for doors, books, eyes, etc., not limited to reversing folds
- flat
emphasises the absence of height or bumps; 'flat' does not necessarily imply something was previously folded
- spread out
emphasises the wide coverage of something laid across a surface
- folded
bent so one part lies on top of another
用法筆記
Used both before a noun ('an unfolded map') and after 'be/keep/stay' ('the napkin stayed unfolded'). Do not use 'unfolded' for things that are simply open but were never folded (e.g. 'an open book' — not 'an unfolded book').