---
title: unlock — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «unlock» in the school dictionary: To unlock is to open a lock, usually with a key, code or button. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# unlock

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** you, Dad, your, I, key, Reading · **What happens:** unlock, be, use, mean, discover, not unlock · **To what, where:** phone, code, games, something, secret, front door · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«unlock» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 8 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [unlock in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unlock.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To unlock is to open a lock, usually with a key, code or button.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:m1:1
# text = To unlock is to open a lock, usually with a key, code or button.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	csubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	open	open	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	lock	lock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	usually	usually	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
10	with	with	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	key	key	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
14	code	code	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	button	button	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | with a key and code or button; open *property* | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To unlock a phone, tablet or computer is to enter a code, pattern or fingerprint so you can use it.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:m2:1
# text = To unlock a phone, tablet or computer is to enter a code, pattern or fingerprint so you can use it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	advcl	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
6	tablet	tablet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	enter	enter	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	code	code	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	pattern	pattern	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	appos	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	fingerprint	fingerprint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	conj	_	_
18	so	so	SCONJ	IN	_	21	mark	_	_
19	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	21	nsubj	_	_
20	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	21	aux	_	_
21	use	use	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	advcl	_	_
22	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	21	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | to-infinitive |  | a phone and tablet or computer |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phone=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | enter *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **use** | can | you | code |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In games, to unlock is to make a new level, character or item available.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:m3:1
# text = In games, to unlock is to make a new level, character or item available.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	games	game	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	acl	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	level	level	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	item	item	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	_
16	available	available	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  | games |  | make *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To unlock can mean to discover or free something hidden, like unlocking a secret or a talent.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:m4:1
# text = To unlock can mean to discover or free something hidden, like unlocking a secret or a talent.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	csubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	discover	discover	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
8	free	free	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obj	_	_
10	hidden	hidden	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	like	like	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
13	unlocking	unlock	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	secret	secret	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obj	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
17	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	talent	talent	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **mean** | can |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **discover** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Topic |
| 4 | **unlock** | gerund |  | a secret or a talent |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent secret=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dad unlocked the front door with his key.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x1:1
# text = Dad unlocked the front door with his key.
1	Dad	dad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	unlocked	unlock	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	front	front	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	key	key	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | past | Dad | the front door |  |  |  | with Dad's key | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent door=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't unlock the door for someone you don't know.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x2:1
# text = Don't unlock the door for someone you don't know.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	obl	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
9	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
11	know	know	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **unlock** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | the door |  |  |  | for someone | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent door=Patient |
| 2 | **not** **know** | present · do-support | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Use your fingerprint to unlock the tablet.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x3:1
# text = Use your fingerprint to unlock the tablet.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	fingerprint	fingerprint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	tablet	tablet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | your fingerprint |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fingerprint=Patient |
| 2 | **unlock** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | the tablet |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tablet=Patient |
| 3 | **fingerprint** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom fingerprint «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I unlocked a new level in the game.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x4:1
# text = I unlocked a new level in the game.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	unlocked	unlock	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	level	level	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	game	game	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | past | I | a new level |  | the game |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent level=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The key will unlock the treasure chest.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x5:1
# text = The key will unlock the treasure chest.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	key	key	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	treasure	treasure	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	chest	chest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | future | the key | the treasure chest |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent chest=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Reading can unlock new worlds.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x6:1
# text = Reading can unlock new worlds.
1	Reading	reading	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	worlds	world	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **unlock** | can | Reading | new worlds |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent world=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Never tell anyone the code that unlocks your phone.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x7:1
# text = Never tell anyone the code that unlocks your phone.
1	Never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	2	advmod	_	_
2	tell	tell	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	anyone	anyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	code	code	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	unlocks	unlock	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **tell** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* | the code | anyone |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent anyone=Recipient code=Topic |
| 2 | **unlock** | present | the code | your phone |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phone=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Scientists are trying to unlock the secrets of the brain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:unlock:x8:1
# text = Scientists are trying to unlock the secrets of the brain.
1	Scientists	scientist	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	trying	try	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	unlock	unlock	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	secrets	secret	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	brain	brain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | present · progressive | Scientists |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **unlock** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | Scientists *not said here* | the secrets of the brain |  |  |  |  | vn disassemble-23.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent secret=Patient |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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