undo
word
/ənˈdu/
uhn-DOO
/ʌndˈuː/
uhn-DOO
Definition
To reverse or cancel an action, bringing things back to how they were before. It can also mean to open or loosen something that was tied or fastened.
Usage & Nuances
Common in computers and software ('Undo changes'). Also used for opening buttons or loosening things ('undo a knot'). Formal for computer tasks, neutral for physical actions. Not the same as 'delete' (which means remove).
Spanish: deshacer - cancelar (acción)Portuguese (BR): desfazer - desfazer (ação)Portuguese (PT): desfazer - anular (ação)Chinese (Simplified): 撤销 - 撤回 (动作)Chinese (Traditional): 還原 - 撤回（動作）Hindi: पूर्ववत करनाArabic: إلغاء - عكس (الإجراء)Bengali: পিছিয়ে নেওয়া - খোলা (গিঁট/বোতাম)Russian: отменить - развязать (узел) - расстегнуть (пуговицы)Japanese: 元に戻す - 解く（結び目/ボタン）Vietnamese: hoàn tác - tháo ra (nút/thắt)Korean: 되돌리다 - 풀다 (매듭/단추)Turkish: geri almak - çözmek (düğüm/düğme)Urdu: واپس لینا - کھولنا (گرہ/بٹن)Indonesian: batalkan - lepaskan (ikatan/kancing)
Example Sentences
She tried to undo the knot.
basic
Just hit Ctrl+Z to undo your changes.
natural
Some mistakes are hard to undo.
natural
He wanted to undo what he had said in anger.
natural
You can undo your last step.
basic
I can undo my shirt buttons.
basic