1 C1 neutral
To remove a length of thread, wire, or rope by unwinding it from a spool, reel, or bobbin.
"She wound off several metres of thread before cutting it to the right length."
separable
wind off
C1 neutral separable transitive
To unwind or remove material such as thread, rope, or wire from a spool or reel.
In plain English
To take thread or rope off a roll by turning it.
What does "wind off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To wind (uncoil) something off a reel — fully transparent in mechanical contexts.
Actually means
To take thread or rope off a roll by turning it.
Usage tip
Largely a technical or craft term used in sewing, weaving, fishing, and electrical work. Not common in everyday speech. Often collocates with 'thread', 'yarn', 'wire', or 'rope'.
Words that pair with "wind off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
thread yarn wire rope cable bobbin
How to conjugate "wind off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wind off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
winds off
he/she/it
Past simple
winded off
yesterday
Past participle
winded off
have + pp
-ing form
winding off
continuous
Hear "wind off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wind off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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