1. To examine and explain the components or assumptions within an idea.
2. To take items out of a container or wrapping.
3. To restore packed data or software to an accessible form.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- unpack an argument
- unpack a concept
On the page
The essay unpacks the concept of collective responsibility.
Word forms
- Base
- unpack
- Past tense
- unpacked
- Past participle
- unpacked
- Present participle
- unpacking
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- unpack
- Present continuous
- am/is/are unpacking
- Present perfect
- have/has unpacked
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been unpacking
- Past
- unpacked
- Past continuous
- was/were unpacking
- Past perfect
- had unpacked
- Past perfect continuous
- had been unpacking
- Future
- will unpack
- Future continuous
- will be unpacking
- Future perfect
- will have unpacked
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been unpacking
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: unpack; unpacks; unpacked; unpacked; unpacking Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: argumentation, evidence, inference. Commonness: moderately common. Third-person singular: unpacks.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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