unfold

UK: /ˌʌnˈfəʊld/ US: /ʌnˈfoʊld/ ,(un fōld′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•fold /ʌnˈfoʊld/   v. 

1. to (cause to) come out of a folded state;
   (cause to) be spread or opened out: [~ + object]
   The bird unfolded its wings and flew off.
   [no object]
   The flower petals unfolded in the sun.
2. to be revealed or displayed;
   become clear:
   [no object] The movie's plot gradually unfolded.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•fold  (un fōld′), v.t. 

1. to bring out of a folded state;
   spread or open out:
   Unfold your arms.
2. to spread out or lay open to view.
3. to reveal or display.
4. to reveal or disclose in words, esp. by careful or systematic exposition;
   set forth;
   explain.

v.i. 

5. to become unfolded;
   open.
6. to develop.
7. to become clear, apparent, or known:
   The protagonist's character unfolds as the story reaches its climax.

• bef. 900; Middle English unfolden, Old English unfealdan; cognate with German entfalten. See un-², fold¹

un•fold′a•ble, adj. 
un•fold′er, n. 
un•fold′ment, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

unfold / ʌnˈfəʊld/ verb

1. to open or spread out or be opened or spread out from a folded state
2. to reveal or be revealed: the truth unfolds
3. to develop or expand or be developed or expanded

unˈfolder noun