unblock

/ʌnˈblɒk/

//ʌnˈblɒk// verb

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

"unblock" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“unblock” has 11 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #40,943. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#40,943
frequency rank, English
1,433
“U” headwords
11
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To remove or clear a block or obstruction from.

Corpus desk

Index EN-unblock · unblock · English

unblock · rank #40,943 · 11 variants · 2 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #40,943
  • LEN-LONG 7 letters
  • VOW-2 2 vowels
  • CONFUS-LOW 2 pairs
  • VAR-MID 11 variants
  • BOOK-MID 1,433
  • PHOTO-FINISH unanticipated

Nearest frequency peer: unanticipated (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “unblock”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “unblock” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

unblock vs unlock
86% similar
unblock vs unblocked
78% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for unblock
PropertyValue
Headwordunblock
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ʌnˈblɒk/
Letters7
Frequency rank#40,943
Misspellings tracked11
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “unblock”

This scale runs from the tiny cluster of words that carry ordinary speech (left) to the long tail of words almost nobody reaches for (right).unblocklands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

The axis is logarithmic, with each marked tick roughly ten times rarer than the last. Same rarity band neighbours include “unanticipated” (#40,942), “unionism” (#40,944), “unsavory” (#40,945). Among 1,433 “U” headwords, “unblock” is #40,943. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 11 spelling variants around unblock (IPA /ʌnˈblɒk/), averb. Corpus frequency is #40,943 among 1,433 “U” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 11 likely wrong-spelling variants for unblock, with forms such as "nublock", "ubnlock", and "unbblock". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "unlock", "unblocked", where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From un- + block. The correct English form is unblock, spelled U-N-B-L-O-C-K.

Definition

  1. 1
    To remove or clear a block or obstruction from.
  2. 2
    To free or make available.
  3. 3
    In whist, to throw away a high card so as not to interrupt one's partner's long suit.
  4. 4
    To enable communication again, via telephone, instant messaging, etc., with (somebody previously blocked).

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how unblock appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. We need a plumber to unblock the sink.
  2. During this period, Network Rail was able to unblock a culvert and stabilise a high-risk landslip at Beattock, and to stabilise a high-risk landslip site at Ravenstruther (near Carstairs).

Etymology

From un- + block.

This word in other languages

débloquer(Français)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • nublock
  • ubnlock
  • unbblock
  • unblcok
  • unbllock
  • unblocck
  • unblockk
  • unblokc
  • unbolck
  • unlbock
  • unnblock

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of unblock - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

nublock2ubnlock2unbblock1unblcok2unbllock1unblocck1unblockk1unblokc2
Edit distance from "unblock"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "unblock"?
"unblock" is spelled U-N-B-L-O-C-K. The IPA pronunciation is /ʌnˈblɒk/.
What does "unblock" mean?
As a verb, "unblock" means: To remove or clear a block or obstruction from.
What words are commonly confused with "unblock"?
"unblock" is commonly confused with "unlock", "unblocked". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "unblock"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "unblock" is /ʌnˈblɒk/. 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 "unblock"?
From un- + block. 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.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "unblock", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 7 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

unsound#40,947Turkmen#40,938tanking#40,920Swinton#40,916

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (11 here; floor ≥5).

unionism11 variantsTrumbull11 variantsWexford11 variantsStetson11 variants

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

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list