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unlatch

verb
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un·​latch | \ ˌən-ˈlach How to pronounce unlatch (audio) \
unlatched; unlatching; unlatches

Definition of unlatch

transitive verb

: to open or loose by lifting the latch

intransitive verb

: to become loosed or opened

Examples of unlatch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The boy eventually unlatched the window and called for help, the detective said. — Michael Gold, New York Times, "Her Children Found Her Body. Now a Parolee Is Accused of Murder.," 25 Dec. 2019 While posing for the cameras, her left earring seemed to unlatch and fall to the ground. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Victoria's Secret Angel Elsa Hosk Dropped an Earring on the Red Carpet and Recovered Like a Champ," 29 Aug. 2019 For starters, consider Virginia’s coming Historic Garden Week (April 27 to May 4), when the state unlatches the gate to several notable private houses and gardens. — Christian L. Wright, WSJ, "Historic and Art-filled Gardens to Visit This Spring," 2 Apr. 2019 And the top is mechanically simple—just unlatch and fold down. — Popular Mechanics, "My Ride: 1989 Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible," 22 June 2017 Rikki eyed the bear at the other corner of the room as her dad unlatched the cage door. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award runner-up: "Am I Not Your Animal" by Matt Jones," 2 June 2018 What appears to be a decorative little logo above the nosepiece is in fact a button that unlatches the frame for swapping tints. — Outside Online, "The Best Sunglasses of 2018," 15 May 2018 Montoya noticed the trash bin was unusually heavy, unlatched the ratchet lock and found Fry’s naked body inside, covered in white paint. — Matthew Martinez, star-telegram, "He dumped bodies of a retired lawyer and his transgender tenant like they were trash, police say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 1 Mar. 2018 Mobbs' mother told police the 11-year-old kicked the screen off his bedroom window and unlatched the burglar bars. — Fernando Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "Have you seen this missing 11-year-old Houston child?," 11 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unlatch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of unlatch

circa 1625, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Time Traveler for unlatch

Time Traveler

The first known use of unlatch was circa 1625

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Statistics for unlatch

Last Updated

13 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Unlatch.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlatch. Accessed 23 January 2020.

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More Definitions for unlatch

unlatch

verb
How to pronounce unlatch (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of unlatch

: to open or loosen (something, such as a door) by lifting a latch

See the full definition for unlatch in the English Language Learners Dictionary

unlatch

verb
un·​latch | \ ˌən-ˈlach How to pronounce unlatch (audio) \
unlatched; unlatching

Kids Definition of unlatch

: to open by lifting a latch

More from Merriam-Webster on unlatch

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with unlatch

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