unlocked

British  

/ ʌnˈlɒkt /

adjective

1. not locked

   all those unlocked cars

---

Explanation

Something that's unlocked isn't latched or secured. You can open an unlocked door and walk right through it. If your front door isn't locked, it's unlocked. Unless you lock it with a key or turn a bolt in the latch, it's going to stay unlocked. A more modern version of this adjective is used for mobile phones, and it means "able to operate on any carrier's network," rather than one specific network. So your unlocked smart phone will work with whichever phone company you choose.

Example Sentences

The German bank’s largest shareholder, Italy’s UniCredit, is launching a takeover offer on May 5 in a bid to push through the implementation of a business plan it called Commerzbank Unlocked.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Higgins told Netflix’s Tudum of the eight-part docuseries, "Unlocked: A Jail Experiment," which premiered on April 10.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

"UniCredit Unlocked has a lot further to go, if investors and shareholders will vote me I'm definitely up for more," he added.

From Reuters • Jun. 5, 2023

The Welsh government spent almost £32,000 on 10 episodes of Unlocked: Covid Stories from Wales.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2022

Unlocked the dead bolt, turned the knob, pulled the door open.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds