unroll

Everyday

1. To open out something that was rolled up so it lies flat. tree →
2. To become open and flat after being rolled. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life and school: unroll a sleeping bag, a mat, a poster, a map, a roll of paper. In maths, unrolling a cylinder (a tube) shows a rectangle, which helps you find its surface area.

Examples

• We unrolled our sleeping bags in the tent. tree →
• The teacher unrolled the big map on the floor. tree →
• Unroll the yoga mat before class starts. tree →
• The scroll slowly unrolled on the table. tree →
• If you unroll the label of a tin, it is a rectangle. tree →
• She unrolled the carpet and it covered the whole room. tree →
• He went his way, but she remained where she was, unrolling the ball. tree →

Note

Regular verb: unrolled, unrolling (double l). Opposite: roll up. Takes «an» only as «an unrolled map». Maths: an unrolled cylinder side is a rectangle whose length is the distance round the circle.