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to unroll

to unroll

12 2.0
To spread out something like a carpet or map that was wrapped up
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈroʊl/
translation icon : desenrollar
  • He carefully unrolled the yoga mat on the floor before starting his practice.

So unrolling here, the first thing I would unroll is this stuff.

Examples

  • I threw the emergency ladder over the edge, and it unrolled to within a couple of meters of the ground.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Neil began by shifting aside boxes in order to unroll his treasured Afghan carpet.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • I unroll it ahead of time.

    Curious George (2006)

  • No, I will, I'll unroll it and save that for last.

  • Just unroll it and string it up.

    Force 10 from Navarone (1978)

  • See, I just kind of gently unroll and I'll just set that there.

  • So unrolling here, the first thing I would unroll is this stuff.

    MIT OpenCourseWare

  • Pembry, at a desk by the door, looks up from examining the unrolled pile of Dr. Lecter's drawings.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Once we've flipped over this canvas, we can begin unrolling the lining canvas and laying out the painting on it.

  • The Dude, frowning, untucks its flap, takes out some cotton wadding, and unrolls it.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

to spread
vsto unroll
664 1.6

To put a thin layer over a surface

is specifically about opening items rolled up to make them flat
to unfold
vsto unroll
39 1.3

Open something that is folded so it becomes flat

refers to opening objects rolled up rather than ones folded
to spread out
vsto unroll
24 3.1

To arrange or unfold things so they cover a larger area

focuses on opening items that were wound rather than general arranging
to unwrap
vsto unroll
15 1.0

To take off paper or cloth that covers a gift

is about opening items rolled inside themselves rather than removing outer coverings
to unfurl
vsto unroll
11 4.5

To open something rolled or folded so it lies flat

is the deliberate action to open something that was rolled up
to roll out
vsto unroll
8 3.4

To make something flat by unrolling it or using a roller

focuses on opening something rolled up rather than using tools to flatten it
to unwind
vsto unroll
5 3.7

Make a wrapped or twisted thing loose and straight

is done to spread out an item rolled into a tube rather than untangle it
to uncoil
vsto unroll
3 3.7

To make something that is rolled or curled become straight

applies to items rolled into a roll rather than tight coils

Antonyms

to roll up
25 3.4

Fold or turn something so it becomes a tight round shape

How Open

open
579 1.0
to spread out
24 3.1
to unroll
12 2.0

Surface Forms

unroll infinitive
unrolled past
unrolled past participle
unrolling present participle
unrolls third person singular

Morphology

unroll = roll (transparent) = un + roll

The meaning is directly derived from the base word 'roll' with the prefix 'un-' indicating reversal of the action.

Etymology

Unroll is made of un- ('reverse') and roll ('to turn into a tube'), so it means to open something that was rolled up, like a map or a carpet.