What does locksmith mean?
A locksmith is a skilled professional who makes and repairs locks, cuts and fits keys, and helps people gain access to locked buildings, vehicles, and other property. The word combines “lock,” referring to the fastening device, with “smith,” an old term for a craftsperson or metalworker. Locksmiths are especially important in emergency situations: someone locked out of a house or car may need a locksmith to open the door or replace a lost key, especially when the lock is deadlocked or the key has broken. The profession has expanded beyond traditional lock repair to include the installation of security systems and electronic access controls. Although the trade is centuries old, it remains familiar and necessary, appearing in phrases such as “emergency locksmith” and “locksmith shop.”
nounA person who makes, repairs, installs, or opens locks and keys. A locksmith may also provide emergency services for people who are locked out of their homes, vehicles, or businesses.
- A person whose occupation is to make, repair, install, or open locks and keys.
- A person who provides emergency help to people locked out of a building or vehicle.
"We called a locksmith after accidentally leaving the house key inside."
"The locksmith opened the old back door in less than ten minutes."
"An emergency locksmith arrived at the hotel shortly after midnight."
The regular plural is used for multiple people in the trade; the possessive form is “locksmith’s” for one owner or worker, or “locksmiths’” for more than one.
"The locksmiths recommended updating the building’s security system."
Without locksmiths, a lost key could once mean a broken door; today their trade keeps both security and everyday access in balance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does locksmith come from?
“Locksmith” is a compound formed in English from “lock” and “smith,” both of which are Old English words: “loc” referred to a fastening or bar, while “smiþ” designated a skilled metalworker. The compound meaning developed from the practice of making and repairing metal fastenings. Words such as “unlock,” “lockout,” and “deadlock” share the “lock” element and its broader sense of securing or fastening something. “Smith” also appears in related occupational compounds, including “blacksmith” and “goldsmith.”
Related word forms
How locksmith is actually used
The term is formal and occupational. In British English, it is especially associated with a local or mobile trade; American usage is broadly similar. “Call a locksmith” and “locksmith shop” are common in everyday speech, while “lock technician” may sound more modern or businesslike.