lock up

/ˌlɒk ˈʌp/

//ˌlɒk ˈʌp// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"lock-up" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“lock up” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a verb - the kind of word writers most often double-check.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
7
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To imprison or incarcerate (someone).

Key facts for lock up
PropertyValue
Headwordlock up
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˌlɒk ˈʌp/
Letters7
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “lock up” sits in English frequency

lock up falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for lock up is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˌlɒk ˈʌp/. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. Wiktionary records 15 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Zero misspellings are on record for lock up in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. Our confusable-pair dataset has no match for it, which tends to mean the word is visually distinctive enough to stand on its own.

Etymologically, the entry records: lock + up The correct English form is lock up, spelled L-O-C-K- -U-P.

Definition

  1. 1
    To imprison or incarcerate (someone).
  2. 2
    To put (something) away in a locked location for safekeeping; (occasionally, chiefly humorously) to sequester (a person) in a similar way.
  3. 3
    To close (and often lock) all doors and windows (of a place) securely.
  4. 4
    To lock (a door, window, etc.).
  5. 5
    To cease responding.
  6. 6
    To cause (a program) to cease responding or to freeze.
  7. 7
    To stop moving; to seize.
  8. 8
    To stop moving; to seize.
  9. 9
    To lose one's forward momentum; to freeze.
  10. 10
    To (mistakenly) cause or have one of one's wheels to lock up (stop spinning).
  11. 11
    To invest in something long term.
  12. 12
    To travel through a flight of locks on a waterway in an uphill direction.
  13. 13
    To fasten quoins securely with a mallet and a shooting-stick.
  14. 14
    To assure success in or control of (something).
  15. 15
    To enter a state of mechanical alignment.

Etymology

lock + up

This word in other languages

encerrar(Español)enfermer(Français)einschließen(Deutsch)prender(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "lock up"?
"lock up" is spelled L-O-C-K- -U-P. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌlɒk ˈʌp/.
What does "lock up" mean?
As a verb, "lock up" means: To imprison or incarcerate (someone).
How do you pronounce "lock up"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "lock up" is /ˌlɒk ˈʌp/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "lock up"?
lock + up See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “lock up”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is L-O-C-K- -U-P - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˌlɒk ˈʌp/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list