ほつれる

ほ

つ

れ

る

ほつれる · ichidan verb

Meanings

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

become frayed; come loose

usually written using kana alone

Describes threads, seams, or fabric edges unraveling or coming apart naturally.

〈物も〉の縫〉のぬい目めが解ほつれるthe seam of ~ comes loose/frays
シャツの縫ぬい目めが解ほつれてしまった。
The seam of the shirt has come undone.
〈物も〉の裾〉のすそが解ほつれるthe hem of ~ frays
ズボンの裾すそが解ほつれてきた。
The hem of the pants has started to fray.

ほつす
解れる is intransitive (threads fray on their own), while 解す is its transitive counterpart meaning to deliberately unravel or fray something.

ほころびるN1
綻びる describes a seam or stitching splitting open, while 解れる more broadly describes threads or fabric edges fraying and coming loose.

もつれるN1
解れる describes threads fraying and coming loose at the edge of fabric, while 縺れる describes threads becoming knotted together; the similar sound often causes learners to mix them up.

The origin is uncertain; it may be related to the verb 解く (ほどく, 'to untie') with a sound shift.