unclasp

unclasp — verb

  • unclasppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unclasps3rd person singular
  • unclasping-ing form
  • unclaspedpast simple

1. to open the small metal or plastic fastening that holds together a piece of jewe

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to open the small metal or plastic fastening that holds together a piece of jewelry, a handbag, a watch strap, or a similar item.

Example

Rania unclasped her gold necklace and placed it carefully on the dressing table.

transitive + direct object (piece of jewelry)

Christopher tried to unclasp his watch strap but could not find the small button on the side.

unclasp + watch strap / bag strap

Common collocations
  • unclasp a necklace
  • unclasp a bracelet
  • unclasp a handbag
  • unclasp a watch strap
  • unclasp a chain
Synonyms
  • unfasten

    more general term for any kind of fastener

  • undo

    common in everyday speech; less specific than unclasp

  • open

    simplest alternative; neutral and widely used

Antonyms
  • clasp

    to close or fasten with a clasp

  • fasten

    general opposite of unfasten

Grammar Patterns

unclasp + object (jewelry, bag, watch)

Usage Note

Limited to objects that close with a mechanical clasp — a small hook, snap, or interlocking mechanism. Do not use for zippers (unzip), buttons (unbutton), or buckles (unbuckle).

Common Mistakes

She unclasped her shirt before going to bed.
She unbuttoned her shirt before going to bed.
Shirts use buttons, not clasps.
He unclasped the car door.
He unlatched the car door.
Car doors use latches, not clasps.

2. to stop holding something with your hand or hands, especially when your fingers

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to stop holding something with your hand or hands, especially when your fingers are wrapped around someone or something; or for two joined hands to separate.

Example

The two friends unclasped their hands when the bus arrived and waved goodbye to each other.

transitive: unclasp + hands (two people separating)

Tuan unclasped his fingers from around the warm coffee mug and looked out the window.

unclasp + fingers from + object

Common collocations
  • unclasp one's hands
  • unclasp fingers from
  • unclasp a hold on
Synonyms
  • release

    more common in everyday English; less specific to hand positions

  • let go

    informal phrasal verb; very common in speech

  • separate

    describes the hands moving apart; neutral in register

Antonyms
  • clasp

    to hold tightly or join hands together

  • grip

    to hold firmly with the hand

Grammar Patterns

unclasp + object (hands, fingers)

unclasp (no object)

Usage Note

Often describes two people releasing each other's hands after holding them. Can also describe a single person opening their own clasped hands. The intransitive form (e.g. 'her hands unclasped') is possible but less common than the transitive.

Common Mistakes

She unclasped the book and started reading.
She opened the book and started reading.
Books are opened, not unclasped (unless they have a clasp).

3. to relax or release a tight physical grip or hold on someone or something, often

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to relax or release a tight physical grip or hold on someone or something, often after a period of tension or fear.

Example

Apinya kept a tight hold on the dog's leash and only unclasped her grip once they reached the open field.

unclasp + grip / hold (formal register)

The climber unclasped his hold on the rock face for a moment to check the safety rope.

unclasp + hold on + physical surface

Common collocations
  • unclasp one's grip
  • unclasp one's hold
  • unclasp one's grasp
Synonyms
  • release

    more neutral and widely used; works in all registers

  • relax

    suggests gradual loosening rather than full release

  • let go of

    phrasal verb; less formal and more common in speech

Antonyms
  • tighten

    to make a grip firmer or stronger

  • grip

    to take and keep a firm hold

Grammar Patterns

unclasp + object (grip, hold)

Usage Note

More formal and literary than 'let go' or 'release'. Often appears in narrative prose describing a character relaxing a tense hold. The object is typically 'grip', 'hold', or 'grasp' rather than a concrete noun.

Common Mistakes

He unclasped the door handle.
He released the door handle.
Unclasp is not used for handles or doorknobs in modern English.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe opening a fastener, but each applies to a different type. Unclasp is specific to jewellery and small accessories with a hook-and-eye or spring-ring mechanism — you unclasp a necklace or a bracelet. Unfasten is the broadest term: you can unfasten a seatbelt, a coat, a gate, or a piece of luggage. Undo is common in everyday speech and works for buttons, zips, laces, and knots — 'undo your shoelaces' sounds natural, while 'unclasp your shoelaces' does not. Unbuckle is limited to belt-style buckles found on watches, sandals, and backpacks. Choosing the right word depends on the fastener type: use unclasp for jewellery, unbuckle for straps with a buckle, undo for buttons and laces, and unfasten for almost anything else.

unclasp ↗unfasten ↗undo ↗unbuckle ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • unclasp from around
  • reach around to unclasp
  • try to unclasp
  • help somebody unclasp

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Unclasp was formed in English by adding the prefix un- (meaning 'reverse of' or 'remove') to the verb clasp, which comes from Middle English claspe meaning 'a fastening or hook'. The word clasp itself may trace back to Old English clyppan ('to embrace or hold tightly'). The sense of releasing a grip dates from the 16th century, and the more literal sense of unfastening a clasp mechanism appeared around the 18th century.

First known use

1530

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1