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

So unpack, relax, and let that wine nap before your celebratory toast. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026

Moving in together is exciting, but couples who skip the money talk before unpacking often end up arguing about it later. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

But there are important factors to consider before starting the medications, while taking them and when considering discontinuation, which Hilton Head Health unpacks in a special retreat USA TODAY learned about firsthand. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Sunday’s World Cup final will be contested by Spain and Argentina, and there are narratives to be unpacked all over the pitch. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 July 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