locked
- 01 A2 Elementary
fastened with a lock so that it cannot be opened without a key or code.
secured by a mechanical or electronic locking mechanism to prevent unauthorised entry or opening.
Simple“She tried the handle, but the front door was locked tight.”
In context“The investigators found the safe locked, suggesting that the thief had either been interrupted or possessed the necessary combination.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
fixed in one position or unable to be changed.
firmly fixed in a specific position or state; often used for prices, gears, or physical joints.
Simple“The two companies agreed on a locked price for the next three years.”
In context“With the wheels locked in a sideways skid, the driver had little hope of regaining control before the vehicle reached the soft verge.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
protected so that only one person or program can use it at a time.
restricted by a mutex, token, or password to prevent simultaneous access or modification of data.
Simple“I cannot edit the spreadsheet because the file is currently locked by another user.”
In context“The database record remains locked until the transaction is either committed or rolled back, ensuring data integrity across the network.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
extremely drunk from drinking too much alcohol.
a state of extreme intoxication.
Simple“He had way too many pints and ended up completely locked.”
In context“After the wedding reception, half the guests were absolutely locked and had to be poured into taxis.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is primarily used in Irish English; learners should use 'drunk' or 'intoxicated' in formal or international contexts.
Usage locked away
* (drunk): Perhaps from airlocked.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.