unroll

verb

un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl How to pronounce unroll (audio)
unrolled; unrolling; unrolls
Synonyms of unrollnext

transitive verb

1
: to unwind a roll of : open out : uncoil
2
: to spread out like a scroll for reading or inspection : unfold, reveal

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This Levi’s pair, in particular, has a 27-inch inseam unrolled and 25-inch inseam when the hems are cuffed. Eden Lichterman, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026 Gently roll the towel to absorb more water, then unroll and reshape the gloves. Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026 The holy texts were moved to a church, Shemper said, where they’ve been unrolled to air out from the smoke. Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026 After two weeks, unroll the paper towel and count the number of seeds that have sprouted. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unroll

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unroll was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unroll. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unroll

verb
un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl How to pronounce unroll (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on unroll

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