What does ravelling mean?
Ravelling means becoming tangled, matted, or separated into loose threads. It is especially associated with woollen clothing, fabric edges, embroidery, yarn, and hair. The word can describe either the process occurring by itself, as in a hem beginning to ravel, or the act of making a material tangle. Its imagery is strongly physical: fibres that should remain orderly gradually become knotted or frayed. In British English, "ravelling" is the usual spelling, while American English generally writes "raveling." The word should not be confused with unravelling, which means coming apart or becoming untangled. Although the final "-ing" can make the word resemble a noun, its standard dictionary classification here is as the present participle of the verb.
verbTo become tangled or matted, or to cause something to become tangled or matted. It is especially used of thread, fabric, hair, or yarn.
- To become tangled, knotted, or matted.
- To cause thread, fabric, hair, or yarn to become tangled or matted.
"The edges of the old scarf began to ravel after years of wear."
"Her woollen hat started to ravel around the edge."
"Careless packing can cause delicate threads to ravel."
Ravel can describe a knot forming, while unravel describes a knot being undone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ravelling come from?
Ravelling is the present participle of ravel, a Middle English verb borrowed from Old French raveler, meaning "to tangle." The related form unravel was formed by adding the prefix un- to ravel. The modern British spelling uses two l's before "-ing," whereas the traditional American spelling has only one.
How ravelling is actually used
The spelling is standard in British English; American English usually uses "raveling." The term is particularly common for fraying fabric, disentangling thread, or tangling hair, and may suggest gradual deterioration.
Easily confused with ravelling
Ravelling means becoming tangled or matted, whereas unravelling means coming apart or becoming untangled.