unlock
Americanverb (used with object)
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unlocks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
unlocked,
past participle, past
-
unlocking
present participle
-
to undo the lock of (a door, chest, etc.), especially with a key.
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to open or release by or as if by undoing a lock.
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to open (anything firmly closed or joined).
to unlock the jaws.
-
to lay open; disclose.
to unlock the secrets of one's heart.
verb (used without object)
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unlocks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
unlocked,
past participle, past
-
unlocking
present participle
verb
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(tr) to unfasten (a lock, door, etc)
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(tr) to open, release, or let loose
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(tr) to disclose or provide the key to
unlock a puzzle
-
(intr) to become unlocked
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unlocksimple
-
unlockssimple
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have unlockedperfect
-
has unlockedperfect
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am unlockingprogressive
-
are unlockingprogressive
-
is unlockingprogressive
-
have been unlockingperfect progressive
-
has been unlockingperfect progressive
Past
-
unlockedsimple
-
had unlockedperfect
-
was unlockingprogressive
-
were unlockingprogressive
-
had been unlockingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unlock
Explanation
When you unlock something, you turn a key or use a code in order to open it. You have to unlock your locker before you can get the books you need for English class. You might unlock your front door by turning a bolt or unlock a hotel room door by sliding a card into a reader. Either way, something was secured with a lock and now you've opened it. This verb is also used for smart phones: "Once you unlock the screen, you can see that photo I sent." Unlock is formed by adding the prefix un-, "reverse," to lock, "fasten or secure."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She was able to unlock her phone and record what was happening, the court heard, and that she was described as sounding in pain, upset and crying.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Last month, three OpenAI safety researchers were summoned to meetings with the company’s security team and asked to unlock their personal phones.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
"This is a beautiful example of how elegant engineering can unlock real impact," said Prof. Richard Penty, who contributed to the photonic system design and integration.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
Simply put, it’s a race between the potential profit unlock it promises and the massive debt it must pay down.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
I use my key to unlock the deadbolt.
From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle
Bellingham unlocks new level and potential to be 'one of the greatest'
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
“It just unlocks all new types of interactive, immersive, cross-media experiences for consumers that really have been nearly impossible to pull off before.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
The stock’s biggest test may still be ahead as a wave of share unlocks are to begin.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
No other U.S. citizen is known to be considered wrongfully detained in China, a designation that the State Department says unlocks exceptional U.S. government attention.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Daddy unlocks the door and holds it open.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
The Titans are coming off their first win, although it’s not as if their offense has been unlocked — they’re 31st in scoring.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Becerra finally unlocked the inner cholo so many of us have been waiting to see, instead of the Chicano Ned Flanders he’s been projecting for decades.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Its success should be measured in what it has delivered directly and what it has unlocked.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
Yaniv Hayun, a passenger, said in a video shared by Israel’s public broadcaster that he and another man found the door was unlocked but blocked by the fallen pilot, so they shoved it open.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
As if that wasn’t enough protection, he then pulled out a key from around his neck and inserted it into a lock, turning it three times before the door unlocked and he ushered us inside.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham said unlocking Jackdaw would "protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter".
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
Alexander said the city's plan was a "massive boost" to the West Midlands, unlocking investment and "creating 50,000 well-paid local jobs to get people into employment".
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
A small group of scientists hope the key to unlocking its long-term survival is buried in the sand.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
“The successful deployment of Starship will establish the most affordable and scalable path to unlocking the economic potential of space,” Citi wrote in an earlier note to clients.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
Overlooked for almost fifty years, that scrawl is like the key to a cipher, unlocking a hidden layer of Elizebeth’s inner life.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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