unpack

verb

un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak 

unpacked; unpacking; unpacks

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove the contents of

unpack a suitcase

b

: unburden, reveal

… must … unpack my heart with words …

—William Shakespeare

2

: to remove or undo from packing or a container

unpacked his gear

3

: to analyze the nature of by examining in detail : explicate

unpack a concept

4

: decompress sense 2

unpack a compressed file

intransitive verb

: to engage in unpacking a container

unpacker noun

Synonyms of unpack

• unload

Examples of unpack in a Sentence

It's been a year since I moved here and I still haven't unpacked all of my books.

I unpacked my suitcase as soon as I arrived home.

By the time we got to the hotel, I was too tired to unpack.

She's good at unpacking complex concepts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Directed by Rubin, the docuseries is set in Paris’ Palais Brongniart, where Rubin cues up songs, seemingly at random, that Jay then unpacks, often word by word. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Below, ahead of its glitzy red carpet premiere on Friday as Spain’s most prestigious film festival officially gets underway, Akin unpacks the making of Ghost Song. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Before unpacking and settling in, make sure your hotel room door fully closes and latches properly. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026

On Mule, Peck unpacks his addiction, the breakup and the identity crisis that nearly cost him his life. — Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for unpack

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

unpack

verb

un·​pack ˌən-ˈpak 

ˈən-

1

: to separate and remove things packed

got home and unpacked

2

: to open and remove the contents of

unpack a trunk