unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

unwound ˌən-ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to uncoil : wind off : unroll

b

: to free from or as if from a binding or wrapping

c

: to release from tension : relax

2

archaic : to trace to the end

unwinding the labryinth and bringing the hero out

—Laurence Sterne

3

: to undo (a financial arrangement or position) through the necessary legal or financial steps

unwound most of its natural gas hedges

—The New York Times

intransitive verb

1

: to become uncoiled or disentangled : unfold

2

: to become released from tension

take a bath to unwind

Synonyms

• relax

Examples of unwind in a Sentence

She unwound some thread from the spool.

The fishing line unwound quickly.

I wanted to unwind after a hard day.

Recent Examples on the Web

Humming Bird is a self-care dream with multiple outdoor showers and baths to relax and unwind. —Rana Good, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Then Ben just starts to unwind, and just gets caught up. —Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025

The hot tub on the rooftop terrace is the ideal way to unwind after a day of sightseeing. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2025

Since then, reading a silly, somewhat ridiculous, and always a little campy thriller novel has been one of my favorite ways to unwind and get my mind off of everything going on in the world. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unwind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined
• enshrined

Kids Definition

unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

ˈən-

unwound -ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding

1

a

: to cause to uncoil : wind off

b

: to become uncoiled or untangled

2

: to make or become free of tension : relax

wanted to unwind after a hard day