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

Over the years, Winslet has not shied away from unpacking the dark side of her success, from the general media intrusions to the frustration of being body-shamed by tabloids. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025

Below, Star unpacks Emily’s journey this season with Marcello, Mindy’s love triangle and showing a vulnerable side of Sylvie. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 21 Dec. 2025

In one photo, the proud mom could be seen helping her daughter unpack her dorm room, surrounded by bags and boxes. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

Temperatures are going down, warm coats are unpacked and the nights are long and dark. —Sara Schilling, Idaho Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025

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