Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

unwrap

American  
[uhn-rap] / ʌnˈræp /

verb (used with object)

  • unwraps,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • unwrapped,
    past participle,  past
  • unwrapping
    present participle
  1. to remove or open the wrapping of.

  2. to open (something wrapped).

    Sheila unwrapped the Christmas presents quickly.


verb (used without object)

  • unwraps,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • unwrapped,
    past participle,  past
  • unwrapping
    present participle
  1. to become unwrapped.

unwrap British  
/ ʌnˈræp /

verb

  1. to remove the covering or wrapping from (something) or (of something wrapped) to have the covering come off

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of unwrap

1200–50; Middle English unwrappen; see un- 2, wrap

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:

Your appetite has been sharpened by sun, distance and swimming, and what you unwrap tastes less like something that survived the journey than something that has been quietly getting ready for you.

From Salon Jul. 30, 2026

We decided to open it last and fought over who got to unwrap it.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 23, 2025

It’s almost time to unwrap those presents: Christmas is coming up on Thursday, Dec. 25.

From MarketWatch Dec. 23, 2025

Let’s unwrap why Phreesia is still a buy for 2026.

From Barron's Dec. 22, 2025

After a minute, I hear Carlos unwrap his sandwich.

From "Ghost Boys" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

He pours the Ditka wine into a plastic cup and unwraps his hoagie, layered with ham and, as the cashier so memorably described it, “limited-time yellow squirt.”

From Salon Jun. 30, 2026

Illuminate is a key word, as when young Peter Ostrum as Charlie unwraps a candy bar with the much-sought-after golden ticket, the animated images around the framed screen erupted in fireworks.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 20, 2025

The Ukrainian peels back a plastic bag, unwraps a towel and, with a smile, wipes some dust from the Bellator welterweight title belt.

From BBC Feb. 21, 2023

For the solo she has titled “Caged Thoughts,” Phillips wraps and unwraps herself in impassioned anguish.

From New York Times Oct. 28, 2022

Rabiya squeals as she unwraps her package and holds up her outfit, which is extra sparkly in the garage light.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Every clip unwrapped the gift of another stunning display.

From BBC Jun. 21, 2026

RAMSEY, N.J.—’Tis the season after the season—when gifts are unwrapped, budgets are blown and second thoughts sink in.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 31, 2025

Investors haven’t unwrapped it just yet, distracted by piecing together the year’s sprawling artificial-intelligence trade.

From Barron's Dec. 11, 2025

“Hi. Is everyone — is everyone good? Comfortable? Snacks unwrapped? Hello. Hi. Welcome.”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 8, 2025

They now unwrapped the blanket, and there in the center was a tiny black and white rabbit, sitting in a shoebox filled with dirt.

From "Bunnicula" by Deborah Howe and James Howe

A trip to ancient Egypt, for instance, leads to one of the Minions running out of toilet paper and accidentally unwrapping a nearby mummy’s bandages for the purpose.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 1, 2026

The anticipation of unwrapping a present heightens the excitement, which might account for enthusiasm about the delayed November consumer-price index reading on Thursday.

From Barron's Dec. 19, 2025

Doncic hustled to the scorer’s table, unwrapping the heat pack from his lower back, unsnapping his warmup pants and zipping off his jacket.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 23, 2025

They showed people, including children, unwrapping the packaging, eating the chips and then reacting to the heat.

From Seattle Times May 16, 2024

Dad had started unwrapping his meal when Mom let out a growl and then started screaming at the midwife that she was ready to push.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training