unbutton

American  

[uhn-buht-n] / ʌnˈbʌt n /

verb (used with object)

1. to free (buttons) from buttonholes; unfasten or undo.

2. to unfasten by or as if by unbuttoning.

   to unbutton a jacket.

3. to disclose (one's feelings, thoughts, etc.) after deliberate or prolonged silence.

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verb (used without object)

1. to unfasten a button or one's buttons.

unbutton British  

/ ʌnˈbʌtən /

verb

1. to undo by unfastening (the buttons) of (a garment)

2. informal to release or relax (oneself, tension, etc)

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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

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

GiAnn, one of three children along with Michael and Jerry Jr., recalled how their father would wear a Pop Warner football shirt underneath his work clothes, and would come home and unbutton the work shirt.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2022

On the crowded subway, Sandy helps Jonni unbutton his sweater so he can slide off his backpack.

From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2019

Here’s what you don’t want to do four times a night: unwrap a swaddle, unbutton the tiny buttons on those adorable footie pajamas, change a dirty diaper, rebutton, and reswaddle.

From Slate • Oct. 29, 2018

He began to unbutton his coat, and I waited to take it from him, but Dora called me from the bathroom to say that she needed my help drawing a mole on her chin.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri