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ravel out

C1 formal separable both
In simple words

To pull apart or untangle something that is knotted or mixed up.

Literal meaning: To pull the threads out of fabric, separating them from their woven arrangement.

Meanings

1 C1 neutral

To disentangle or separate threads or fibres that have become knotted.

"She patiently ravelled out the knotted skein of wool before she could begin knitting."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic formal

To clarify or make sense of something complicated or confused.

"It took the detective weeks to ravel out the truth behind the contradictory witness statements."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 neutral

To come apart or fray at the edges (of fabric or material).

"The hem of the old curtain had started to ravel out after years of washing."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Somewhat archaic or literary. More common in older British texts. In modern usage, 'unravel' is far more frequent. Note the paradox: 'ravel' and 'unravel' can mean the same thing, which often surprises learners.

Commonly used with

thread knot mystery problem tangle question

Forms

Base
ravel out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ravels out
he/she/it
Past simple
raveled out
yesterday
Past participle
raveled out
have + pp
-ing form
raveling out
continuous

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Synonyms

unravel untangle disentangle unpick sort out unwind

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