Ravel: meaning, definitions and examples
🧶
ravel
[ ˈrævəl ]
untangle threads
To ravel means to become tangled or entwined, or to cause something to become tangled. It can also refer to the act of unravelling or loosening something that is tightly wound.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The yarn began to ravel after being stored improperly.
- She tried to ravel the knots in the fishing line.
- The story seemed to ravel into more confusion as it progressed.
create complexity
Ravel can also mean to complicate something or make it more intricate. In this sense, it can imply a sense of confusion rather than a physical entanglement.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- His explanation only served to ravel the issue further.
- The plot ravelled into multiple subplots, making it hard to follow.
- As the negotiations continued, the situation began to ravel.
tangled mess
In a less common usage, ravel can refer to a tangled or confused state or situation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The project turned into a complete ravel as deadlines were missed.
- After the meeting, the plans were left in ravel.
- The fabric had a ravel that needed to be fixed.
Translations
Translations of the word "ravel" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desfazer-se
- viajar
- confundir
🇮🇳 सड़क यात्रा
- भ्रमण करना
- उलझाना
🇩🇪 reisen
- auflösen
- verwirren
🇮🇩 berkelana
- membingungkan
- merusak
🇺🇦 подорожувати
- розплутувати
- заплутувати
🇵🇱 podróżować
- rozwikłać
- zmylić
🇯🇵 旅行する
- 解く
- 混乱させる
🇫🇷 voyager
- défaire
- embrouiller
🇪🇸 viajar
- deshacer
- confundir
🇹🇷 seyahat etmek
- çözmek
- kafa karıştırmak
🇰🇷 여행하다
- 풀다
- 혼란스럽게 하다
🇸🇦 السفر
- حل
- إرباك
🇨🇿 cestovat
- rozplést
- zmást
🇸🇰 cestovať
- rozplietať
- zmiasť
🇨🇳 旅行
- 解开
- 迷惑
🇸🇮 potovati
- razvozlati
- zmediti
🇮🇸 ferðast
- leysa
- rugla
🇰🇿 саяхат жасау
- шешу
- шатастыру
🇬🇪 მოგზაურობა
- გახსნა
- დაბნევა
🇦🇿 səyahət etmək
- açmaq
- çaşqınlıq yaratmaq
🇲🇽 viajar
- deshacer
- confundir
Etymology
The word 'ravel' has its origins in the early 17th century, derived from the Middle Dutch term 'ravelen,' which means to tangle, fray or unravel. The word was likely influenced by its association with textiles, as it was often used in the context of yarn or threads becoming intertwined. Over time, 'ravel' has taken on various meanings, notably not only indicating the act of tangling but also the act of making something more complicated or intricate. The dual meanings of ravel highlight the complexity and nuance of language—while it traditionally pertains to physical entanglement, it has also adopted metaphorical connotations in literature and conversation, often signifying confusion or convolution in thought or narrative. Hence, 'ravel’ serves as a fascinating example of how words evolve and adapt in both form and function within the English lexicon. The flexible nature of 'ravel' has allowed it to maintain relevance in modern discourse, showcasing the dynamic quality of language.