Word
interlock
Phoneticsin·ter·lock, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪntɝˈɫɑk/
UK/ˌɪntəlˈɒk/
Definition
v. to fit two or more things together so they hold each other firmly, like the fingers of your two hands.
v. to fit or join two or more parts together so they lock and cannot move separately. Applies to physical parts such as gears or fingers and to abstract elements such as plans or stories that connect closely.
Examples
“They interlock their fingers when they hold hands.”
“The gears interlock to transfer power from the motor to the wheels.”
“The two narratives interlock so tightly that removing one chapter would collapse the logic of the other, revealing how carefully the author planned the structure.”
Examples
simple
“They interlock their fingers when they hold hands.”
contextual
“The gears interlock to transfer power from the motor to the wheels.”
complex
“The two narratives interlock so tightly that removing one chapter would collapse the logic of the other, revealing how carefully the author planned the structure.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “interlock” in context.
Verb
01. bricks interlock
“These toy bricks interlock easily for young children.”
noun + verb
02. interlock fingers
“He sat quietly and began to interlock fingers nervously.”
verb + noun
03. interlock gears
“The engineer designed the machine to interlock gears smoothly.”
verb + noun
04. interlock hands
“The dancers interlock hands and form a large circle.”
verb + noun
05. interlock panels
“Workers interlock panels to build the temporary wall quickly.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. firmly interlock
“Push the two parts until they firmly interlock and cannot move.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. interlock into place
“Push the pieces down until they interlock into place.”
verb + prep + noun
08. bricks interlock without mortar
“These stone bricks interlock without mortar or glue.”
09. gears interlock tightly together
“In this watch, tiny gears interlock tightly together.”
10. interlock fingers together
“He tends to interlock his fingers together when thinking.”
11. interlock hands behind your back
“Stand straight and interlock your hands behind your back.”
12. interlock into place securely
“The floor tiles interlock into place securely.”
Usage
The verb is both transitive and intransitive; often used reciprocally of two parts joining each other.
Etymology
From inter- + lock.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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