Definition, synonyms and related words
simple past tense and past participle of lock
"He locked the door before leaving for work yesterday."
In plain English: To lock something means to put it in a state where it cannot be opened or moved without a key.
"He locked the door before leaving the house."
Usage: Use "locked" to describe an action that has already been completed in the past or to modify a noun with the same meaning. It functions simply as the standard past tense form for situations where something was secured at a specific time before now.
Having undergone locking; secured by a lock.
"The front door was locked tight after we arrived home from our evening walk."
In plain English: Locked means something is fastened so it cannot be opened or moved without a key or special permission.
"The front door is locked and I can't get in."
Usage: Use "locked" to describe something that is fastened so it cannot be opened or moved without a key. Do not confuse this state with being stuck or jammed, which requires a different word entirely.
The slang use of "locked" to mean drunk likely comes from the phrase "airlocked," which describes someone who is so intoxicated they have lost consciousness or coordination. This term entered English usage as a playful way to describe being heavily under the influence.