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locksmith

American  
[lok-smith] / ˈlɒkˌsmɪθ /

noun

  1. a person who makes or repairs locks and keys.


locksmith British  
/ ˈlɒkˌsmɪθ /

noun

  1. a person who makes or repairs locks

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of locksmith

1200–50; Middle English loksmith (first attested as surname). See lock 1, smith

Explanation

If your job is installing locks on people's houses and fixing their broken locks, you can call yourself a locksmith. A locksmith knows all about locks; she makes them, puts them on doors, and repairs them. If you've ever locked yourself out of your house, the person to call for help is a locksmith. When you need a new copy of your apartment key, you can also visit a locksmith. The word comes from lock and smith, from the Old English smið, "one who works with metal."

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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.

The debut feature from British studio Locksmith Animation, “Ron’s Gone Wrong” has plenty of slapstick and potty humor for kids.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2021

In Waukena, he got a job at J&M Locksmith and owned a storage unit business, Balaam said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2019

No employee at Broadway Locksmith, at 918 E. John St., has ever seen someone restocking it.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 30, 2018

"It's one of the real opportunities of being in such a big band," says Leon Rolle, aka DJ Locksmith.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2016

The student must be inspired by an ardent desire to awaken the interest of his audience in "The Cheerful Locksmith," as does one who through introductory remarks presents the "speaker of the evening."

From Evolution of Expression — Volume 1 by Emerson, Charles Wesley

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