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to unbraid

to unbraid

1 7.1
To take apart hair or thread that is twisted together
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈbreɪd/
translation icon : des trenzar
  • Then she unbraided my hair and combed it, dipping the comb into the potion.
  • unbraided her hair

Examples

  • Before bedtime, she decided to unbraid her long hair for a more comfortable sleep.

  • She had unbraided her long gray hair.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • As Terri unbraided the doll again, Mom appeared.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Dolly unbraided her hair.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Julia unbraids her silvery-yellow hair and dries it so that it dips over one eye.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • After the dance, he gently unbraided her intricate hairstyle, letting her hair fall loose.

  • As the stylist began to unbraid the cornrows, she noticed how much hair had grown underneath.

Synonyms

to undo
vsto unbraid
21 1.3

Unfasten something that is tied or fastened

is specifically about reversing interlaced strand work rather than general loosening
to untangle
vsto unbraid
10 3.5

To separate threads or cords that are twisted together

refers to deliberate interlacing rather than accidental tangles
to unwind
vsto unbraid
5 3.7

Make a wrapped or twisted thing loose and straight

is for interlaced strand work rather than unwinding coils
to unweave
vsto unbraid
1 8.6

To take apart threads that form cloth or a basket

applies to interlaced strands formed by handwork rather than woven patterns
to unplait
vsto unbraid
7.6

To undo a braid and separate the strands of hair or ribbon

is the same action expressed in the other common form

Antonyms

33 2.0

To weave three or more strands of material together

How Undone

to undo
21 1.3
to unbraid
1 7.1
to untwist
2 3.7
to loosen
88 1.0

Surface Forms

unbraid infinitive
unbraided past
unbraided past participle
unbraiding present participle
unbraids third person singular

Morphology

unbraid = braid (transparent) = un + braid

The word 'unbraid' is transparently derived from the verb 'braid' with the prefix 'un-' indicating reversal of the action.

Etymology

The word unbraid is made from the prefix un- meaning 'undo' and braid meaning 'to weave hair or threads together'. So to unbraid is to 'take a braid apart' and let the hair or threads come loose.