uncurl

Everyday

1. To uncurl means to open out or straighten from a curled shape: a hedgehog uncurls when it feels safe. tree →
2. To uncurl something means to straighten it out, like uncurling your fingers or a rolled-up poster. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons, animals uncurl (hedgehogs, woodlice, caterpillars) and plants uncurl (fern leaves in spring). In stories, a cat uncurls from sleep and stretches. Phrases: «uncurl slowly», «uncurl your fingers», «uncurl from a ball».

Examples

• The hedgehog uncurled when the dog went away. tree →
• Fern leaves uncurl in spring like little green springs. tree →
• The cat uncurled and stretched in the sunshine. tree →
• Slowly uncurl your fingers to show what you are holding. tree →
• We uncurled the old map and pinned it on the wall. tree →
• A woodlouse rolls into a ball and uncurls when it feels safe. tree →
• And then the dragon uncurled himself from around the North Pole, and stretched his long, icy length over the snow, and said: "This is something like! tree →

Note

Regular verb: uncurled, uncurling. Can be used with or without an object: «the cat uncurled» / «she uncurled the poster». Opposite: curl up. «Un-» here means to reverse an action, like in «untie», «undo».