SINCE 1828

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1

ravel

play

verb rav·el \ˈra-vəl\

Definition of ravel

raveled

or

ravelled

;

raveling

or

ravelling

play \ˈrav-liŋ, ˈra-və-\

transitive verb
1a : to separate or undo the texture of : unravelb : to undo the intricacies of : disentangle
2 : entangle, confuse
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : to become entangled or confused
2 : to become unwoven, untwisted, or unwound : fray
3 : break up, crumble

raveler

play \ˈrav-lər, ˈra-və-\ noun

ravelment

play \ˈra-vəl-mənt\ noun

See ravel defined for English-language learners

See ravel defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of ravel

Dutch rafelen, from rafel loose thread

NEW!

First Known Use: circa 1540

See Words from the same year

2

ravel

noun rav·el

Definition of ravel

: an act or result of raveling: such asa : something tangledb : something raveled out; specifically : a loose thread

First Known Use of ravel

1634

Ravel

play

biographical name Ra·vel \rə-ˈvel, ra-\

Definition of Ravel

(Joseph) Mau*riceplay \mȯ-ˈrēs\ 1875–1937 French composer

Ravelian

play \rə-ˈve-lyən, ra-, -lē-ən\ adjective

RAVEL Defined for English Language Learners

ravel

play

verb

Definition of ravel for English Language Learners

: to become divided into separate threads

RAVEL Defined for Kids

ravel

play

verb rav·el \ˈra-vəl\

Definition of ravel for Students

raveled

or

ravelled

;

raveling

or

ravelling

: unravel 1 We raveled the net for fishing.

Learn More about ravel

See words that rhyme with ravel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ravel Spanish Central: Translation of ravel Nglish: Translation of ravel for Spanish speakers

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