v. 1
To undo a folding.
to unfold a map; to unfold a tablecloth; She unpacks the new dress and unfolds it carefully.
v. 2
To become unfolded.
The curtains unfolded to reveal the stage.
v. 3
To turn out; to happen; to develop.
Events unfolded in an unexpected way.

Forms

Past participle: unfolded
e.g. unfolded → revealed, unfurled, unraveled, opened…

Choose the right word

Unfold, Develop, Expand, Extend, Expatiate or Dilate?

We may develop a thought, expand an illustration, extend a discussion, expatiate on a hobby, dilate on something joyous or sad, enlarge a volume, unfold a scheme, widen the range of treatment.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

reveal Sami didn't reveal the identity of his assailants.
unravel You can't unravel all of life's little mysteries.
unfurl Bob can no longer unfurl its left wing.
expose Do not expose the console to dust, smoke or steam.
evolve I think we can evolve from our tribalist impulses.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
unfold		rising
reveal		rising
unravel		rising
unroll		rising
unfurl		rising
expose		rising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters: show¹, open², fare¹
5 letters: break¹, solve¹
6 letters: spread¹, reveal², expand², extend², expose², evolve², deploy², unveil², impart², dilate², unroll², unfurl²
7 letters: develop³, display², stretch¹, blossom², uncover³, unravel³, amplify³, enlarge², divulge², unearth², expound²
8 letters: decipher³
9 letters: interpret³, elucidate⁴
10 letters: illustrate³

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (open² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: déplier
Italiano: dispiegare
Español: desplegar