unfurl

/ˌʌnˈfɜːl/ (bre, ipa) · [ənfˈɚl] /ˌʌnˈfɜːrl/ (ame, ipa)

unfurl — verb

  • unfurlpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unfurlshe / she / it
  • unfurledpast simple
  • unfurling-ing form

1. Something that has been rolled or folded tightly opens and becomes flat or fully

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

Something that has been rolled or folded tightly opens and becomes flat or fully spread, or someone makes a rolled or folded thing do this.

例句

Brooke unfurled the old map on the kitchen table and traced her route.

transitive: unfurl + object (map, scroll, flag)

The national flag unfurled slowly in the morning breeze as the ceremony began.

intransitive: flag + unfurls in the wind

同義詞
  • unroll

    more specific — only for items rolled around a cylinder or tube

  • unfold

    broader — works for paper, fabric, or plans; less dramatic than unfurl

  • spread out

    more general — does not imply previous rolling or folding

  • open

    fully general — can replace unfurl only when the context is clear

反義詞
  • furl

    the direct opposite; used primarily for sails and flags

  • roll up

    more general than furl; works for maps, posters, paper

  • fold up

    for items that fold rather than roll

文法句型

unfurl + object (flag/sail/map/scroll)

unfurl (intransitive, no object)

用法筆記

Both transitive and intransitive uses are equally common. The subject of the intransitive form is typically something rolled or furled (a flag, sail, leaf, or banner).

常見錯誤

❌She unfurled the door.
✅She unfurled the map.
💡unfurl only works for things that are rolled or folded shut, not for solid objects like doors or lids.
❌The flower unfurled its petals.
✅The flower opened its petals.
💡although poetic use exists, unfurl is much less common for flowers than for flags, sails, maps, and banners.