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

Wayfair offers tips for removing folds and curls, which are an inevitable part of unrolling a new rug. —Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025

Organizers are unrolling multiple methods for eradicating these issues in 2026. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025

According to Hübler, kilometer-long solar films could be easily unrolled across fields to provide shade and generate power, and then removed when no longer needed. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025

Wearing an Arsenal soccer jersey, Frida’s hair is pinned with rollers as her older sister unrolls each one to reveal bouncy curls that frame her face. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 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