untie
verbTo unfasten a knot or loop so something comes loose.
verbTo set someone or something free from being tied up or held.
verbTo figure out the answer to something confusing or complicated.
verbTo come loose or unfastened by itself.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Prefix UN-
UN- means 'not' or 'the opposite of'. 'Unhappy' means 'not happy'.
The prefix un- is added to the beginning of a word to mean 'not' or to reverse an action. 'Happy' → 'unhappy' (not happy). 'Do' → 'undo' (reverse doing).
Tip
UN makes it undone — unhappy, unfair, unlike!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter T
The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.
T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.
Tip
T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: IE Vowel Team (Long I)
When IE is at the end of a word, it says long I, like in 'pie' and 'tie'.
The vowel team IE makes the long I sound /aɪ/ at the end of a word. Examples: pie, tie, die, lie, vie.
Tip
IE at the end says I — pie, tie, die!
Examples
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