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Unravel vs Fathom - What's the difference?

unravel | fathom |

In lang=en terms the difference between unravel and fathom

is that unravel is to become undone; to collapse while fathom is to measure the depth of, take a sounding of.

As verbs the difference between unravel and fathom

is that unravel is to separate the threads (of); disentangle while fathom is (archaic) to encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.

As a noun fathom is

(obsolete) grasp, envelopment, control.

unravel

English

Verb

  • to separate the threads (of); disentangle
    • Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You will unravel it.
    Mother couldn't unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.
  • to become undone; to collapse
  • * 2010 , Ian Cowie, "State pension Ponzi scheme unravels with retirement at 70", The Telegraph , June 24th, 2010,
  • *:The great Ponzi scheme that lies behind our State pension is unravelling – as they all do eventually – because money being taken from new investors is insufficient to honour promises issued to earlier generations.
    • New Ponzi Scheme Unravels !
  • (figurative) To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.
    • to unravel a plot
    to unravel a mystery
    to unravel the confusion
  • (figurative) To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
  • * Dryden
    • Art shall be conjured for it, and nature all unravelled .
    ''to unravel the global compromise achieved in the Constitutional Treaty
    ''to unravel the broad consensus which was created

    Usage notes

    unraveling and unraveled are primarily US while unravelling and unravelled are primarily UK.

    Synonyms

    * unriddle * solve * unsnarl * disentangle

    Derived terms

    * unravelling

    Anagrams

    * English ergative verbs

    fathom

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Grasp, envelopment, control.
  • (nautical) A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans.
  • (by extension) Mental reach or scope; penetration; the extent of capacity; depth of thought or contrivance.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Another of his fathom they have none / To lead their business (Othello, I.i. 151-2).

    Synonyms

    *(measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms) brace

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
  • To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
  • (figuratively) To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend (a problem etc.).
    • I can't for the life of me fathom what this means.

    Synonyms

    * fathom out, figure out, puzzle out, work out

    Related terms

    * fathomable * fathometer * fathomless * fathom out * unfathomable

    External links

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