unroll

verb

un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl 

unrolled; unrolling; unrolls

transitive verb

1

: to unwind a roll of : open out : uncoil

2

: to spread out like a scroll for reading or inspection : unfold, reveal

intransitive verb

: to be unrolled : unwind

Examples of unroll in a Sentence

He carefully unrolled the ancient scroll.

I unrolled the new carpet.

When we arrived at the cabin, we unrolled our sleeping bags.

The hose will unroll if you pull on it.

Last week, the government unrolled a new vaccination campaign.

The scandal unrolled over the course of several weeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

The holy texts were moved to a church, Shemper said, where they’ve been unrolled to air out from the smoke. —Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026

After two weeks, unroll the paper towel and count the number of seeds that have sprouted. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Before adding the shirt to the washer, unbutton all buttons, remove collar stays, unroll cuffs, and check to be sure any pockets are empty. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 31 Dec. 2025

Regardless, malls are now considered so outdated that many North American municipalities—including Toronto, Metro Vancouver and Phoenix, Arizona—have unrolled mall redevelopment strategies. —Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unroll

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

unroll

verb

un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl 

ˈən-

1

: to unwind a roll of : open out

unroll a carpet

2

: disclose

the government unrolled a new program

3

: to become unrolled or spread out : unfold

a view of mountains unrolled before them