What does untied mean?
Untied is both the past tense and past participle of the verb untie and an adjective meaning that something is no longer tied, fastened, or restrained. In its verb use, it describes the act of undoing a knot or releasing a restraint: “She untied the rope.” In its adjective use, untied describes the resulting condition: “His shoelaces were untied.” The word can also suggest release more broadly, as in an untied vessel or freedom from constraint. It is common in everyday English in both British and American usage, though the more frequently encountered forms in ordinary conversation are usually untie, unties, or untying. Untied is especially useful when a speaker wants to convey either a completed action or a state of freedom from fastening. Its compact construction also makes it vivid in descriptions of boats, clothing, packages, and restraints. The form is straightforward: un- reverses the action of tie, so its meaning is readily understood even when encountered for the first time.
To undo a knot or fastening, or to release something from restraint.
"They untied the prisoner and led him outside."
Common as the past tense and past participle of untie.
Not tied, fastened, or restrained.
"The package arrived with its ribbons untied."
Often used with clothing, ropes, packages, vessels, and restraints; it can also convey a broader sense of freedom.
From a ship’s knot to a toddler’s laces, untied captures the satisfying moment when restraint gives way to freedom.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does untied come from?
Untied is an English formation built on the prefix un-, meaning a reversal or undoing, and the verb tie. The base verb descends from Old English tīan, “to tie, fasten, or bind,” and the related forms tie, tied, and tying preserve the same lexical root. The addition of un- to form untie follows a productive English pattern and gives it the meaning of undoing a fastening.
Related word forms
How untied is actually used
Untied is common in everyday British and American English. As an adjective, it can describe either a physical fastening or a broader condition of freedom or lack of restraint.
Easily confused with untied
Untied means not fastened or restrained, whereas untidy means messy, disordered, or poorly maintained.