Synonyms

unzip

American

[uhn-zip] / ʌnˈzɪp /

verb (used with object)

to open the zipper of.

verb (used without object)

to become unzipped.

unzip British

/ ʌnˈzɪp /

verb

to unfasten the zip of (a garment) or (of a zip or garment with a zip) to become unfastened

her skirt unzipped as she sat down
(tr) computing to decompress (a file) that had previously been zipped

"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

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Present

Past

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Etymology

Origin of unzip

First recorded in 1935–40; un- ² + zip ²

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.

Scientists have long suggested tectonic plates could unzip like this.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 9, 2024

But when Arabidopsis seedlings sense they're under attack, special enzymes called RNA helicases are produced that unzip the hairpins so the ribosomes can pass through and continue scanning along the mRNA molecule.

From Science Daily • Sep. 21, 2023

“Even the basic mechanics of going to the bathroom and being able to unzip your pants instead of taking the entire onesie off and having your arms drag on the floor is meaningful.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2023

When I finally get home and unzip my suitcase, I inhale a cloud of cardamom.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2022

When I unzip the bag, I see Max's crumpled Statue of Liberty shirt.

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023