What does ravel mean?
Ravel is a verb with two apparently opposite meanings that are closely related in practice. It can describe material becoming tangled or snagged, as when a sweater ravels, and it can also mean to untangle a physical or figurative knot: she raveled the mystery, or officials tried to ravel a complicated dispute. The word is more literary and traditional than everyday vocabulary, but it remains intelligible and useful in both British and American English. Its unusual semantic range—tangle and untangle—makes it especially memorable. In figurative use, ravel often suggests working patiently through complications, whereas untangle is more neutral and unravel is especially common for knotted thread, hair, and carefully separated problems.
To become tangled or snagged, especially fabric, thread, or hair; to tangle or entangle something.
"His scarf raveled around the branches of the tree."
The literal sense is less common in modern standard English and is especially associated with textiles, thread, and hair.
To unravel or untangle something, either physically or figuratively.
"The researchers worked overnight to ravel the causes of the failure."
Figurative uses often imply careful analysis of a complicated situation or problem.
The plural is rare and is used chiefly for individual tangles or snarls.
"The wool was full of small ravels near the hem."
Ravel can mean both to tangle and to untangle, so the word can describe a problem becoming worse or finally coming clear.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ravel come from?
The verb comes from Dutch ravelen, meaning to tangle or disentangle, and entered English during the early 17th century. Its history reflects an older English vocabulary of textile work, in which tangled threads had to be separated and repaired. The word developed in both literal and figurative senses and is related to forms such as ravelment and raveler.
Related word forms
How ravel is actually used
The word is relatively uncommon in careful formal writing, though it is established in British and American English. Its sense 'to unravel' is especially common in figurative contexts, while 'to tangle' is now chiefly regional or literary.
Easily confused with ravel
Ravel refers to a tangle or the process of becoming tangled, whereas rubble refers to broken pieces of stone or other material.
Ravel means to tangle or untangle, while revel means to celebrate enthusiastically.