untie

verb

un·​tie ˌən-ˈtī 

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

Synonyms

• unbind
• undo
• unfasten
• unlash

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

Trump and others in his administration have tried slicing through these knots rather than putting in the legal work to untie them. —The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025

Vionic Kimmie Perf Slip-on Shoes Rather than bend down to untie your shoes, just slide your feet into these airport security-friendly slip-on sneakers. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025

His bow tie wants to be untied, his vest buttons unfastened, his top hat removed. —James Meyer, Artforum, 1 May 2025

The concept of Mary untying knots is derived from a work by St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies). —Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for untie

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

untie

verb

un·​tie ˌən-ˈtī 

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