unlock

CEFRB2

/ʌnˈlɒk/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    Open something by removing a lock, or make it available.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To configure (a mobile phone) so that it is not bound to any particular carrier.

Examples

  • Give me a key, and I will unlock the universe.

  • Tom couldn't unlock the door because he had the wrong key.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To obtain access to something; to meet the requirements of a security or protection system.

  2. To undo or open a lock or something locked by, for example, turning a key, or selecting a combination.

  3. To disclose or reveal previously unknown knowledge or potential.

More examples

In context

  • I unlocked the dictionary article so I could edit it.

  • I unlocked the door and walked in.

  • This computer game is shareware, but you can pay for a code to unlock the full version.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She used the key to blank the door and entered the room.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English unloken, unlouken, onlouken, from Old English onlūcan (“to unlock”), equivalent to un- + lock. Cognate with Dutch ontluiken (“to unlock”).