verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ʌnˈplʌɡ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ʌɡ
CMU ARPABET:AH0 N P L AH1 G
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To disconnect from a supply, especially an electrical socket.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
To save electricity, I unplug my computer when I am not at home.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To stop using electronic devices, especially for relaxation or to reduce stress.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To remove a blockage from (especially a water pipe or drain).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
I had to unplug the sink the other day: there was far too much hair and gunk down there.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To temporarily disconnect from worldly experiences.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, intransitive
Examples
I need to unplug and spend some time with my family.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
pull the plug of (electrical appliances) and render inoperable
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
unplug the hair dryer after using it
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: disconnect
Antonyms: plug in
Broader terms: undo
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h2éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-West Germanic *anda- Old English and- Old English on- Middle English on- English un- Proto-Germanic *plugjaz Old Dutch *pluggi Middle Dutch *plugge Dutch plugge Dutch plugbor. English plug English unplug From un- + plug.
Across languages
Translations
32 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
изваждам от контакта
(izvaždam ot kontakta)
— disconnect from a supply
Catalan:
desendollar
— disconnect from a supply
Chinese Mandarin:
拔開 /拔开
(bákāi)
— disconnect from a supply
Chinese Mandarin:
拔
(bá)
— disconnect from a supply
Danish:
tage ud
— disconnect from a supply
Danish:
fjerne
— disconnect from a supply
Finnish:
irrottaa pistorasiasta
— disconnect from a supply
Finnish:
irrottaa seinästä
— disconnect from a supply
Finnish:
irrottaa
— disconnect from a supply
French:
débrancher
— disconnect from a supply
Galician:
desenchufar
— disconnect from a supply
German:
(Stecker) herausziehen
— disconnect from a supply
Irish:
díphlugáil
— disconnect from a supply
Italian:
staccare la spina
— disconnect from a supply
Japanese:
...からプラグを抜く
(... kara puragu o nuku)
— disconnect from a supply
Japanese:
...から栓を抜く
(... kara sen o nuku)
— disconnect from a supply
Japanese:
...のプラグを抜く
(... no puragu o nuku)
— disconnect from a supply
Japanese:
...の栓を抜く
(... no sen o nuku)
— disconnect from a supply
Khmer:
ដកដោត
(dɑɑkdaot)
— disconnect from a supply
Lushootseed:
ʔuq̓wu
— disconnect from a supply
Norman:
dêpliodgi
— disconnect from a supply
Norwegian Bokmål:
trekke ut kontakten
— disconnect from a supply
Polish:
odłączać
— disconnect from a supply
Polish:
odłączyć
— disconnect from a supply
Portuguese:
desplugar
— disconnect from a supply
Russian:
отсоединя́ть
(otsojedinjátʹ)
— disconnect from a supply
Russian:
отсоедини́ть
(otsojedinítʹ)
— disconnect from a supply
Russian:
отключа́ть
(otključátʹ)
— disconnect from a supply
Russian:
отключи́ть
(otključítʹ)
— disconnect from a supply
Spanish:
desenchufar
— disconnect from a supply
Swedish:
dra ut kontakten
— disconnect from a supply
