verb
unbutton
uhn-BUH-tuhn
Unbutton (verb) means to undo the buttons of a piece of clothing. Example: “He unbuttoned his coat as soon as he got inside.”
verb
1
To undo the buttons of a piece of clothing.
"He unbuttoned his coat as soon as he got inside."
"She unbuttoned the cuffs of her shirt before rolling up her sleeves."
How to use unbutton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo open something up by undoing its buttons.
Common pairings
unbutton a shirt
unbutton a coat
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- unbuttons
- Past tense
- unbuttoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his coat as soon as he got inside.
Etymology
From Middle English unbotonen, from un- + button.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unbutton
See all rhymes for unbutton →Frequently asked questions
What does “unbutton” mean?
The word “unbutton” means to undo the buttons of a piece of clothing. In plain terms, to open something up by undoing its buttons.
How do you pronounce “unbutton”?
“Unbutton” is pronounced uhn-BUH-tuhn (/ʌnˈbʌtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “unbutton” in a sentence?
Here is “unbutton” used in a sentence: “He unbuttoned his coat as soon as he got inside.”
What part of speech is “unbutton”?
“Unbutton” is a verb.
Where does the word “unbutton” come from?
The word “unbutton” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unbotonen, from un- + button.