How to pronounce unravel
Say it like un-RAV-ul. Unravel has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unravel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- RAV
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unravel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of unravel
American and British speakers say unravel in essentially the same way: /ənˈrævəl/ in the US and /ˌʌnˈrævəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: uhn-RAV-ul.
What does unravel mean?
- To cause (something) to no longer be ravelled or tangled; to disentangle, to untangle.“Mother couldn’t unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.”
- To separate the threads of (something knitted or woven, such as clothing or fabric).“Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You’ll unravel it.”
- To separate the connected or united parts of (something); to throw (something) into disorder; to confound, to confuse, to disintegrate.“to unravel the broad consensus which was created”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unravel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unravel.
Questions about saying unravel
How do you pronounce unravel?
Say un-RAV-ul. The American pronunciation is /ənˈrævəl/. In British English it is /ˌʌnˈrævəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unravel?
Unravel has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAV). Broken into parts: un · RAV · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say unravel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈrævəl/ and the British form is /ˌʌnˈrævəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.