unbutton
Americanverb (used with object)
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to free (buttons) from buttonholes; unfasten or undo.
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to unfasten by or as if by unbuttoning.
to unbutton a jacket.
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to disclose (one's feelings, thoughts, etc.) after deliberate or prolonged silence.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to undo by unfastening (the buttons) of (a garment)
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informal to release or relax (oneself, tension, etc)
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unbuttonsimple
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unbuttonssimple
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have unbuttonedperfect
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has unbuttonedperfect
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am unbuttoningprogressive
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are unbuttoningprogressive
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is unbuttoningprogressive
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have been unbuttoningperfect progressive
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has been unbuttoningperfect progressive
Past
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unbuttonedsimple
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had unbuttonedperfect
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was unbuttoningprogressive
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were unbuttoningprogressive
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had been unbuttoningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unbutton
First recorded in 1275–1325, unbutton is from the Middle English word unbotenen. See un- 2, button
Explanation
When you unbutton something, you unfasten or open it, the way you unbutton your coat before you take it off. To undo the buttons on a piece of clothing is to unbutton it. If your formal clothes feel uncomfortable, you might take off your tie and unbutton your top shirt button. You can also figuratively unbutton, by becoming more relaxed and uninhibited: "Kick off your shoes and unbutton a little — we're at the beach!" Unbutton comes from adding un-, "opposite of," to the verb button, "fasten with buttons."
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.
As things get hot the temptation is to ditch the layers, get out the shorts and unbutton the flowery shirt.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
The best tips were about using words first: “I need to unbutton your gown because I’m going to be scanning your chest, but I’ll keep you covered with this towel.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026
Then McEnany laughed and asked her co-hosts for permission to unbutton what had become her too-tight blazer.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2025
Emily, Maplewood, NJ, creative director: I sit down in my office, close the door, and unbutton the uncomfortable pants I mistakenly decided to put on so I wouldn’t be in pajamas all day.
From Slate • Mar. 26, 2020
“Food, glorious food. I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but I wish I could unbutton my pants.”
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
