unfasten

/'ʌn'fɑ:sn/

Thân thiện

The child learns to unfasten the buckle on his backpack.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To open, untie, or loosen something that is fastened, attached, or closed. It describes the action of releasing a connection or closure.
   • To become undone or untied. It can describe the state of something coming loose on its own.

Usage

The verb "unfasten" is used to describe the deliberate action of opening a clasp, buckle, button, knot, or similar fastener. It is the opposite of "fasten." It can also be used intransitively to describe something coming loose without direct human action.

Examples

• Transitive (with an object):
  • Please unfasten your seatbelt before exiting the vehicle.
  • She unfastened the locket from around her neck.
  • He unfastened the gate and let the dog into the yard.
• Intransitive (without a direct object):
  • The clasp was weak and unfastened easily.
  • During the flight, my watch strap unfastened.

Advanced Usage

• "to unfasten oneself from": To detach or free oneself from a physical or metaphorical connection.
  • She struggled to unfasten herself from the ropes.
  • He needed to unfasten himself from the burdens of the past.

Variants and Related Words

• Unfastened (adjective): Not closed, tied, or secured.
  • He walked in with his shirt unfastened.
• Fasten (verb): The direct antonym, meaning to close, attach, or secure.
• Unbuckle, unbutton, unzip, untie (verbs): More specific synonyms for types of unfastening.

Synonyms

• Open
• Undo
• Loosen
• Detach
• Unclasp
• Unhook

Antonyms

• Fasten
• Secure
• Close
• Tie
• Buckle
• Attach

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Unfasten" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The action is typically expressed by the verb alone or with more specific verbs like "take off" or "undo.")

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that center on the word "unfasten.")

Học thuật

Verb

1. become undone or untied
   • The shoelaces unfastened
2. cause to become undone
   • unfasten your belt