uncouple
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: //ʌnˈkʌpəl//
KK: /ʌnˈkʌpəl/
intransitive verb
Definition
To separate or break apart from a connection or relationship.
Example
After years of being together, they decided to uncouple and go their separate ways.
Tense Forms
Past: uncoupled
Past Participle: uncoupled
Conversation
Did you see how the two cars uncouple during the race yesterday?
Yeah, it was really surprising to watch!
I know, I didn't expect them to uncouple like that so suddenly.
Me neither! It definitely added some excitement to the event.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
detach
separate
disengage
Antonyms
attach
connect
join
transitive verb
Definition
To disconnect or separate two things that are joined together.
Example
The engineer had to uncouple the train cars to allow for repairs.
Tense Forms
Past: uncoupled
Past Participle: uncoupled
Conversation
Did you see how they had to uncouple the train cars yesterday?
Yeah, it was pretty interesting to watch them do that.
I didn't realize it was such a precise process to uncouple them safely.
Root Explanation
Uncouple → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not or opposite of) and "couple" (from Old French *coupler*, meaning to join or link). The word "uncouple" means to separate or detach something that was joined or linked together.
Memory Tip
Think of 'not' or 'opposite' ('un-') when you want to remember that 'uncouple' means to separate something that was joined.
Visually Confused Words
couple
uncrumple
nonuple
couplet
coupler
coupled