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undo definition

undo (un do̵̅o̅′)

transitive verb undid -·did′, undone -·done′, undoing -·do′·ing

    1. to release or untie (a fastening)
    2. to open (a parcel, door, etc.) by this means
  2. to reverse the doing of (something accomplished); do away with; cancel; annul
  3. to put an end to; bring to ruin, disgrace, or downfall
  4. to upset emotionally; perturb
  5. Obsolete to interpret; explain

Etymology: ME undon < OE < un-, un- + don, to do

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

undo Synonyms

undo

v.

  1. To unfasten

    untie, loosen, release; see unhitch.

  2. To bring to ruin

    mar, destroy, ruin, wreck, break, bring to naught, subvert, injure, overthrow, unsettle, turn topsy-turvy, upset, defeat.

  3. To reverse

    annul, cancel, do away with, invalidate; see cancel 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

undo Usage Examples

Object

  • bolt: The answer was to undo the back bolt to allow the seat to be lifted to allow the nuts to be positioned.

Modifying Another Word

  • almost: Some nice moments but also a few that almost undo all the work that you have managed to achieve.

Used with why or when

  • what: He made the decision to move to London to undo what some of good living had done.

Preposition: of

  • work: The reports make clear that the transfer would be likely to undo much of the good work to which I have referred.

Used with why or when

  • when: But Bury's hard work appeared to be undone when Swansea were awarded their penalty.

Preposition: in

  • time: This will help to ensure that they can be undone in a few years time.

Preposition: by

  • goal: The home side were undone by a fourth minute goal from Wrexham striker Craig Faulconbridge.
undo usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"undo." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/undo>

APA Style

undo. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/undo

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