untied

Untied is an English word functioning as both the past tense of the verb untie and as an adjective meaning not tied or loosened. As a verb form, untied describes the action of loosening or removing a tie, knot, or binding, for example, "She untied the knot" or "The shoelaces were untied." As an adjective, untied describes objects that are not fastened, such as untied shoelaces, untied ropes, or untied drawstrings. It can also refer metaphorically to situations or ideas that are not constrained or bound by rules, tradition, or expectations, as in a phrase like "untied from convention."

Common synonyms for untied in its adjective sense include loose, unfastened, unknotted, and untethered.

Regarding etymology, untied is formed with the prefix un- added to the past participle of tie, tied, which traces to the Germanic word for bind or fasten. The combination preserves a straightforward sense of negation and separation in modern usage.

In everyday usage, untied emphasizes the result of unbinding rather than the process of tying, though context determines whether the emphasis is on the action or the state. It frequently appears in safety contexts (untied laces can cause tripping hazards) and in descriptive writing to evoke looseness or freedom.

See also untie, tie, knot, unfastened, untying.