Ravel
/ˈrævəl/
verbnounB2
Definition
As a verb, ravel means to pull apart threads that are twisted or knotted, or to become twisted or tangled. It can also mean to become confused or complicated. As a noun, ravel refers to a loose thread or a small knot in fabric or yarn.
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See It in Action
To become twisted, tangled, or knotted (verb)
- •The old sweater began to ravel after many washes.
- •The thread started to ravel and made the fabric look messy.
- •Her scarf began to ravel at the edges.
To untangle or separate threads (verb)
- •She carefully raveled the tangled yarn to use it again.
- •He tried to ravel the knot without cutting the rope.
A loose thread or small tangle in fabric (noun)
- •There was a ravel on the sleeve of his jacket.
- •The ravel in the cloth made it look worn out.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ravel" like "untie" (A1 word), but it can mean both "to untie" or "to get tangled"—it works in two opposite ways.
- ✓Picture a ball of yarn with some threads coming loose or tangled in a messy way.
- ✓It's the feeling when your shoelaces get all mixed up and you try to straighten them out.
- ✓Sounds like "RAVEL" → imagine a raven (the black bird) pulling threads apart with its beak.
- ✓In stories, a ravel is like a mystery or problem that gets more and more tangled before it is solved.
- ✓NOT like "knot" (which is a tight, fixed tie), ravel can mean threads coming loose or tangled in a soft way.
- ✓NOT like "tangle" only (which means to get twisted), ravel can also mean to untwist or separate threads.
- ✓NOT like "unravel" (which means to untangle or solve), "ravel" can mean both to tangle or untangle depending on the situation.
Try Other Words
- •Unravel: to untangle or solve something (Use when emphasizing untangling or solving a problem)
- •Tangle: to twist or knot (Use when focusing only on becoming twisted or knotted)
- •Fray: to become worn and threadbare at edges (Use when fabric is wearing out)
- •Snarl: to twist into a confused mass (Use for strong, messy tangles)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root "ravel")
- •Etymology: From Middle English "ravelen," meaning to tangle or entangle
- •Origin language: Possibly from Dutch or Low German origin related to twisting or tangling
- •Historical development: Originally meant to tangle or knot threads; later also used to mean to untangle
- •Modern usage: Used mostly for threads, yarn, or fabric becoming loose or tangled, and sometimes for confusing situations
Reflect & Connect
•How can "ravel" describe both making a problem more confusing and fixing it by untangling?
•Can you think of situations in life where things "ravel" in both ways—getting worse or getting better?
Fill in the blanks
1.The old sweater began to ravel because the threads were starting to ___ apart.
2.When the yarn began to ravel, she carefully tried to ___ the knots without breaking it.
3.Unlike "tangle," ravel can mean both to get twisted or to ___ the threads.
4.The ravel on his jacket sleeve showed that the fabric was starting to ___.
5.The mystery started to ravel as new clues helped ___ the confusion.
6.She noticed a small ravel and knew she needed to ___ it before the hole got bigger.
7.Threads that ravel often come ___ at the edges of fabric or clothing.