English Reference

Word

locksmith

Phoneticslock·smith

US/ˈɫɑksˌmɪθ/

UK/lˈɒksmɪθ/

Definition

n. a person who makes, repairs, or opens locks. In some places, this word is also used to describe a person who makes or sells illegal gambling machines.

n. a person who installs, repairs, or opens locks and keys. In specific regional or historical contexts, it may refer to an individual who operates or maintains illegal gambling devices.

Examples

“I called a locksmith to help me get into my locked car.”

“The local locksmith provided a duplicate key after the original was lost during the move.”

“While the primary role of a locksmith involves securing residential and commercial properties, the term occasionally appears in historical gambling contexts to describe those who maintained illicit gaming equipment.”

Examples

simple

“I called a locksmith to help me get into my locked car.”

contextual

“The local locksmith provided a duplicate key after the original was lost during the move.”

complex

“While the primary role of a locksmith involves securing residential and commercial properties, the term occasionally appears in historical gambling contexts to describe those who maintained illicit gaming equipment.”

Real-World Examples

“BBC News has previously reported on "bait-and-switch" locksmith scams , where customers were given an initial cheap quote before hidden charges and unnecessary work were added.”
BBC News · 27 Aug 2026
“Hickman has worked with LockRite , one of the UK’s largest networks of uniformed locksmiths, for 14 years but this summer has “definitely brought a significant increase” in heat-related callouts.”
The Guardian · 21 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle English loksmith; equivalent to lock + smith.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Gambling

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference