unbutton

verb

un·​but·​ton ˌən-ˈbə-tᵊn 

unbuttoned; unbuttoning; unbuttons

transitive verb

1

: to loose the buttons of

2

: to open by or as if by loosing buttons

intransitive verb

: to undo buttons

Examples of unbutton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned over a summer tank top, and the slim collar and rolled sleeves add a pop of texture to its simple design. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 24 May 2025

The cropped top can be worn buttoned up for a sleek silhouette on a dinner date or unbuttoned over a tank for a museum-hopping day in Rome. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025

Then, McEnany laughed and asked her co-hosts for permission to unbutton her tight blazer. —arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Visitors this year have included Billie Jean King, Judy Murray, Sir Trevor Nunn, and Dustin Hoffman, who loosened his necktie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt during the final match of his afternoon last week. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unbutton

• button
• clutton
• glutton
• mutton
• witan

Kids Definition

unbutton

verb

un·​but·​ton ˌən-ˈbət-ᵊn 

: to unfasten the buttons of (as a garment)