unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

unwound ˌən-ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding; unwinds

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to uncoil : wind off : unroll

b

: to free from or as if from a binding or wrapping

c

: to release from tension : relax

2

archaic : to trace to the end

… unwinding the labyrinth and bringing the hero out …

—Laurence Sterne

3

: to undo (a financial arrangement or position) through the necessary legal or financial steps

… unwound most of its natural gas hedges …

—The New York Times

intransitive verb

1

: to become uncoiled or disentangled : unfold

2

: to become released from tension

take a bath to unwind

Synonyms of unwind

• relax

Examples of unwind in a Sentence

She unwound some thread from the spool.

The fishing line unwound quickly.

I wanted to unwind after a hard day.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Japan, where a historic bathing ritual has long been a part of how people unwind there, saunas are being added to onsens. — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Apart from enjoying the Tuscan fare, guests can unwind at Spa La Corte, which offers personalized massages, aromatherapy, holistic wellness treatments, and Tibetan singing bowl healing sessions to restore the mind and body. — Tianna Soto, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026

Entertain with ease with use of the wet bar and unwind in the adjoining walk-in sauna. — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Balmoral Castle in Scotland has long been one of King Charles’ favorite places to unwind. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unwind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• crosswind
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined

Kids Definition

unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd 

ˈən-

unwound -ˈwau̇nd  ; unwinding

1

a

: to cause to uncoil : wind off

b

: to become uncoiled or untangled

2

: to make or become free of tension : relax

wanted to unwind after a hard day