disentangle
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪsˈɛntæŋɡl/
KK: /dɪsˈɛntæŋɡl/
intransitive verb
Definition
To become free from being twisted or caught up in something.
Example
After a long struggle, the cat managed to disentangle itself from the yarn.
Tense Forms
Past: disentangled
Past Participle: disentangled
Conversation
I spent all afternoon trying to disentangle those old wires.
That sounds frustrating! Did you manage to get them apart?
Sort of, but it took way longer than I expected to disentangle them.
I can imagine! It's always a hassle with tangled stuff.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
untangle
unravel
free
Antonyms
entangle
bind
trap
transitive verb
Definition
To free something from being tangled or caught up, making it clear or separate.
Example
She tried to disentangle the necklace from her hair.
Tense Forms
Past: disentangled
Past Participle: disentangled
Conversation
I got myself into a bit of a mess with my old cables.
That sounds frustrating! Do you need help to disentangle them?
Yes, please! I can't figure out which one goes where.
Root Explanation
Disentangle → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart) and "entangle" (from Old French *entangler*, meaning to catch or ensnare). The word means to separate or free something that has been caught or ensnared.
Memory Tip
Think of 'dis-' meaning apart and 'entangle' meaning to catch — so disentangle means to free something that has been caught.
Visually Confused Words
entangle
septangle
pentangle
entangler
entangled