untie

verb

un·​tie ˌən-ˈtī How to pronounce untie (audio)
untied; untying or untieing

transitive verb

1
: to free from something that ties, fastens, or restrains : unbind
untied our hands
2
a
: to disengage the knotted parts of
untie a shoe
b
: disentangle, resolve
untie a traffic jam

intransitive verb

: to become loosened or unbound

Examples of untie in a Sentence

He untied the package and opened it. She untied the horse from the post.
Recent Examples on the Web Microsoft tried to assuage the EU’s concerns by untying Teams in Europe before expanding the policy to around the world in April. Daxia Rojas, Fortune Europe, 26 Sep. 2024 Soon, Sally was untying her boat from a float, turning on its engine, and steering it away, headed for her island home. Anna Holmes, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2024 At the zoo, Perfetti, who wore a backpack, deliberately untied sneakers, and tech-fabric gym clothes, had a straightforward objective: check out the lion exhibit. André Wheeler, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024 Plus, the hook closure held the top securely (and never comes unintentionally untied). Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 16 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for untie 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'untie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of untie was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near untie

Cite this Entry

“Untie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untie. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

untie

verb
un·​tie ˌən-ˈtī How to pronounce untie (audio)
ˈən-
untied; untying or untieing
1
: to free from something that ties or fastens : unbind
untie a horse
2
a
: to undo the knotted parts of
untied her scarf
b
: to straighten out : resolve
untie a traffic jam
3
: to become loosened or unbound
the strings untied easily

More from Merriam-Webster on untie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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