1 ravel | Definition of ravel
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ravel

verb
rav·​el | \ ˈra-vÉ™l How to pronounce ravel (audio) \
raveled or ravelled; raveling or ravelling\ ˈrav-​liÅ‹ How to pronounce ravelling (audio) , ˈra-​vÉ™-​ \

Definition of ravel

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to separate or undo the texture of : unravel
b : to undo the intricacies of : disentangle
2 : entangle, confuse

intransitive verb

1 obsolete : to become entangled or confused
2 : to become unwoven, untwisted, or unwound : fray
3 : break up, crumble

ravel

noun

Definition of ravel (Entry 2 of 3)

: an act or result of raveling: such as
a : something tangled
b : something raveled out specifically : a loose thread

Ravel

biographical name
Ra·​vel | \ rÉ™-ˈvel How to pronounce Ravel (audio) , ra-\

Definition of Ravel (Entry 3 of 3)

(Joseph) Mau*rice \ mȯ-​ˈrÄ“s How to pronounce mȯ-ˈrēs (audio)\ 1875–1937 French composer
Other Words from ravel Example Sentences Learn More about ravel

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from ravel

Verb

raveler \ ˈrav-​lÉ™r How to pronounce raveler (audio) , ˈra-​vÉ™-​ \ noun
ravelment \ ˈra-​vÉ™l-​mÉ™nt How to pronounce ravelment (audio) \ noun

Biographical name

Ravelian \ rÉ™-​ˈve-​lyÉ™n How to pronounce Ravelian (audio) , ra-​ , -​lÄ“-​É™n \ adjective

Examples of ravel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Now, with many New Yorkers complaining that life in New York is raveling under Mr. Bloomberg’s progressive successor, Bill de Blasio, a top Bloomberg lieutenant is telling his version of how the city was revitalized. — Edward Kosner, WSJ, "The Gotham Growth Spurt," 11 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ravel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ravel

Verb

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1634, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ravel

Verb

Dutch rafelen, from rafel loose thread

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for ravel

ravel

verb
How to pronounce Ravel (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ravel

formal + literary : to become divided into separate threads

See the full definition for ravel in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ravel

verb
rav·​el | \ ˈra-vÉ™l How to pronounce ravel (audio) \
raveled or ravelled; raveling or ravelling

Kids Definition of ravel

: unravel sense 1 We raveled the net for fishing.

More from Merriam-Webster on ravel

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ravel

Spanish Central: Translation of ravel

Nglish: Translation of ravel for Spanish Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!