Meaning & Definition of word "Ravel"
to
Ravel
/ˈrævəl/
noun:
- 1. a tangle or complication.
- Example: The project turned into a ravel, making it hard to see how to proceed.
- 2. a state of confusion or complexity.
- Example: The ravel of information made it difficult to draw any conclusions.
verb:
- 1. to become disordered or tangled; to complicate.
- Example: The sweater began to ravel after several washes, showing all its loose threads.
- 2. to disentangle or unravel something.
- Example: She took her time to ravel the complicated knot in the fishing line.
- 3. to explain something in a complex or intricate way.
- Example: The professor was known to ravel the subjects he taught, making them difficult for students to understand.
Etymology
Middle English, from Old French 'raveler', from 'ravel' meaning 'to snare, entangle'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
raveling yarn:
the process of unwinding yarn or thread
to ravel out:
to untangle or remove knots from something
in a ravel:
to be in a state of confusion or disorder
Related Words
unravel:
to untwist or undo something twisted or tangled.
entangle:
to twist together or entwine into a confusing mass.
Slang Meanings of ravel
Meaning: to mess something up
Example Sentence: He really raveled that project when he didn't follow the guidelines.
Meaning: to get into a chaotic situation
Example Sentence: Things started to ravel when they didn't stick to the plan.