What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unlock
Example
I need to unlock the door before we can enter the room. [unlock: verb]
Example
The company will unlock new features for its users next month. [unlock: verb]
release
Example
The zookeeper will release the birds back into the wild. [release: verb]
Example
The company will release a new smartphone model next year. [release: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unlock is more commonly used than release in everyday language. Unlock is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while release is more specific and often used in the context of products, services, or information being made available to the public.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unlock and release?
Both unlock and release are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
