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.
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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
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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:
Here, too, Dolly offered her region a tacit challenge by promoting the education reading can provide and, just as importantly, the empathy it can unlock.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
His idea was that advances in artificial intelligence would soon unlock resources on a cosmic scale, enabling humans to colonize faraway planets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Although some investors are doubtful about Apple Intelligence and AI-powered Siri, successful execution of those features “could extend the iPhone cycle, drive upgrades and unlock new monetization opportunities,” Daryanani said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said upgrading the grid is "a vital part of how we deliver secure, homegrown energy and unlock economic growth across the country."
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
I could feel the logic in them, could sense their power to bestow order and symmetry, but I couldn’t unlock it.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
“They are engaged in smaller projects, but we haven’t yet seen that combination of factors that unlocks larger projects,” McPhail said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 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
More shares will become eligible to trade in August and September, with additional releases set to continue through December in one of the largest post-IPO share unlocks in U.S. market history.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
It unlocks banking transactions, insurance and transportation and does away with the complex networks that Iran has previously used to sell crude.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
She gets out, goes around to his side, unlocks his seat belt, and tries to pull him out the car, but he digs his feet into the seat.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
It has gained around 19% in the week since the first tranche of shares were unlocked last Thursday and another release is coming next week.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
Some, like Enrico, 28, said they loved the convenience of same-day collection, and felt nostalgic towards a brand which unlocked fond childhood memories.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Another 7% of shares, for example, are set to be unlocked on Aug. 21.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
The 912 million SpaceX shares that unlocked Thursday—holdings worth more than $100 billion—far exceed the previous supply of tradable stock.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Now that he knew it was unlocked, Jack held his breath and listened against the door for any sounds, but there was only silence.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
So what is Bucky Brooks doing before sunrise, unlocking the gate outside the Granada Hills High football field?
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Our friends over at the Slate podcast Slow Burn are good at taking events that we think are settled history, then unlocking a new understanding of those stories through interviews, archives, and fresh analysis.
From Slate ● Aug. 15, 2026
“The transaction strengthens Air Canada’s financial position by unlocking value from Aeroplan while retaining full operational control,” said John Di Bert, the airline’s chief financial officer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
Higher prices “will encourage the development of new supply, while unlocking new opportunities for our business,” Le Peuch said during the call.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
“Okay,” says Ren, unlocking the door to our classroom.
From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon
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.
