unwrap

unwrap — verb

1. to take the outer layer off a wrapped object to reveal what is inside.

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to take the outer layer off a wrapped object to reveal what is inside.

Example

Linh carefully unwrapped the small box her grandmother had sent for her birthday.

unwrap + direct object (gift/package)

The children begged their mother to let them unwrap the presents before dinner.

Common collocations
  • unwrap a gift
  • unwrap a present
  • unwrap a package
  • unwrap a parcel
  • unwrap a sandwich
  • unwrap carefully
  • unwrap eagerly
  • unwrap slowly
Synonyms
  • open

    more general; applies to any sealed container, not just wrapped items

  • unpack

    focuses on removing the contents from a container, not just the outer layer

  • uncover

    can be physical (removing a cloth) or abstract (revealing hidden information)

  • undo

    broader; applies to knots, buttons, or fasteners, not specifically wrapping

Antonyms
  • wrap

    to cover or enclose something in paper or other material

  • wrap up

    to put a covering around something completely

Grammar Patterns

unwrap + noun phrase (direct object)

Usage Note

Generally used with a direct object referring to the wrapped item. Frequently passive ('be unwrapped'). Though the core sense is physical, figurative uses also occur in informal English — for example, 'unwrap the truth' or 'unwrap the details of the plan.' This verb is not typically used for opening containers sealed with tape or glue (use 'open' instead).

Common Mistakes

I unwrapped the box to take out the cake.
I opened the box to take out the cake.
'unwrap' means removing the outer covering, not opening a sealed container or lid.
She unwrapped her shoes before putting them on.
She untied her shoes before putting them on.
'unwrap' applies to coverings like paper or plastic, not laces or buckles.

Word family

  • unwrapping
    nounB1
  • unwrapped
    adjectiveB1
  • wrapper
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five verbs involve revealing what is hidden, but they differ in the type of covering and the action involved. 'Unwrap' is specific to removing a flexible outer layer such as paper, foil, or plastic from a gift, sandwich, or parcel. 'Open' is far more general — you open a door, a jar, a book, or a sealed box, with no implication of wrapping. 'Unpack' means removing items from a container (a suitcase, a box) and arranging them, not just taking off the outer layer. 'Uncover' usually involves removing a cloth, lid, or sheet from something, or it can be figurative ('uncover a secret'). 'Undo' applies to fasteners, knots, buttons, or zippers. For example: 'Linh unwrapped her birthday gift' (peeling off paper); 'Linh opened the gift box' (lifting the lid); 'Linh unpacked her suitcase' (taking clothes out).

unwrap ↗open ↗unpack ↗uncover ↗undo ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • unwrap something from something
  • unwrap something with care

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in late Middle English by adding the reversive prefix 'un-' to the verb 'wrap', which originally meant to wind or fold cloth around something. The prefix 'un-' signals the reversal of the action — hence 'unwrap' literally means 'to reverse the wrapping.' The earliest recorded use of 'unwrap' dates from the 16th century.