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

That brand-safe approach has made her pod a first stop for many outgoing Netflix stars, including Ashley Adionser, who gave her a viral interview unpacking how her relationship with Tyler Francis imploded. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 6 May 2026

There’s a deeper layer to unpack around control, identity and self-confidence, too. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

DeRose and Salguero unpack the rhetoric of conservative white Evangelicals and discuss what happens when the government uses scripture to justify policy. —NPR, 3 May 2026

There are comfortable sneakers made for long walking days, capsule wardrobe staples that mix and match without overthinking, and clever organizers that make unpacking feel less chaotic. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for unpack

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

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