unpick
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to undo (the stitches) of (a piece of sewing)
-
to unravel or undo (a garment, etc)
-
obsolete to open (a door, lock, etc) by picking
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has unpickedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have unpickedperfect
-
am unpickingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been unpickingperfect progressive
-
has been unpickingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
unpickingparticiple
-
unpickssingular 3rd person
-
is unpickingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are unpickingprogressive
Past
-
had unpickedperfect
-
was unpickingprogressive singular
-
unpickedparticiple
-
unpickedsimple
-
were unpickingprogressive plural
-
had been unpickingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unpick
1350–1400 for earlier sense; 1770–80 for current sense; Middle English unpiken to pick (a lock); see un- 2, pick 1
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.
That to me is, I think, the most exciting kind of knot to unpick right now.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
Koh warned that if the ICJ ruled the right to strike was not inherent in the Convention, companies and governments could start to unpick labour deals around the world.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Ultimately, though, trying to unpick the precise reason for why our food and drink costs what it does is very difficult - other factors that influence price can go undetected.
From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025
It’s tempting to believe we can supersede that, but the fact is, we’re always going to be attempting to unpick the injustices that exist absolutely.
From Salon • Oct. 17, 2025
I whinged that it didn't smell of anything, but she pointed out I wasn't the one who had to hoover and unpick the needles from the carpet.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
