Blocked vs. Locked: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on October 2, 2023
"Blocked" means obstructed or hindered, whereas "locked" refers to being securely fastened or sealed.
Key Differences
"Blocked" often conveys an obstruction or hindrance, preventing movement or access. On the other hand, "locked" directly implies a secure fastening, often using a key, combination, or other mechanism.
A road can be "blocked" by debris, preventing vehicles from passing. Conversely, a door is typically "locked" to prevent unauthorized access, using a key or code.
When someone says an account is "blocked," it may be due to security reasons or violations. In contrast, when an account is "locked," it often means too many incorrect password attempts were made.
"Blocked" can also be used metaphorically, such as when one feels mentally "blocked" and unable to think clearly. "Locked," however, often carries more literal interpretations, like when a person is "locked" in their thoughts or decisions, meaning they're firm and unyielding.
While "blocked" and "locked" might occasionally overlap in some contexts, they generally convey distinct scenarios; one indicating obstruction and the other indicating secure fastening.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To obstruct or hinder
To fasten or secure using a mechanism
Usage
Can describe physical and metaphorical hindrances
Often describes physical fastening
Examples
Blocked road, blocked nose
Locked door, locked account
Related Terms
Blockage, blocker
Lock, locker
Function
Prevents movement or access
Prevents unauthorized or unwanted access
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Blocked and Locked Definitions
Blocked
Obstructed or hindered from movement.
The road was blocked by fallen trees.
Locked
Made secure against access.
The files are locked for privacy reasons.
Blocked
Stopped up; closed.
His nose was blocked due to allergies.
Locked
Fastened with a lock.
The door was locked when I tried to enter.
Blocked
Barred from use.
My credit card was blocked after suspicious activities.
Locked
Engaged or intertwined with another.
The two wrestlers were locked in combat.
Blocked
A solid piece of a hard substance, such as wood, having one or more flat sides.
Locked
Determined; unchangeable.
His mind was locked, and he wouldn't reconsider.
Blocked
Such a piece used as a construction member or as a support.
Locked
A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing.
Blocked
Such a piece upon which chopping or cutting is done
A butcher's block.
Locked
A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section.
Blocked
Such a piece upon which persons are beheaded.
Locked
A mechanism in a firearm for exploding the charge.
Blocked
One of a set of small wooden or plastic pieces, such as a cube, bar, or cylinder, used as a building toy.
Locked
An interlocking or entanglement of elements or parts.
Blocked
(Printing) A large amount of text.
Locked
(Sports) A hold in wrestling or self-defense that is secured on a part of an opponent's body.
Blocked
(Sports) A starting block.
Locked
A secure hold; control
The distributor has a lock on most of the market.
Blocked
A stand from which articles are displayed and sold at an auction
Many priceless antiques went on the block.
Locked
A sure thing; a certainty
His promotion is a lock.
Blocked
A mold or form on which an item is shaped or displayed
A hat block.
Locked
To fasten the lock of
Close and lock a drawer.
Blocked
A substance, such as wood or stone, that has been prepared for engraving.
Locked
To shut or make secure with or as if with locks
Locked the house.
Blocked
A pulley or a system of pulleys set in a casing.
Locked
To confine or exclude by or as if by means of a lock
Locked the dog in for the night.
Locked the criminal up in a cell.
Blocked
An engine block.
Locked
To fix in place so that movement or escape is impossible; hold fast
The ship was locked in the ice through the winter. She felt that she had become locked into a binding agreement.
Blocked
A bloc.
Locked
To sight and follow (a moving target) automatically
Locked the enemy fighter in the gun sights.
Blocked
A set of like items, such as shares of stock, sold or handled as a unit.
Locked
To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically
"The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate" (Ed Magnuson).
Blocked
A group of four or more unseparated postage stamps forming a rectangle.
Locked
To clasp or link firmly; intertwine or interlock
Locked arms and walked away.
Blocked
(Canadian) A group of townships in an unsurveyed area.
Locked
To bind in close struggle or battle
The two dogs were locked in combat.
Blocked
A usually rectangular section of a city or town bounded on each side by consecutive streets.
Locked
To equip (a waterway) with locks.
Blocked
A segment of a street bounded by consecutive cross streets and including its buildings and inhabitants.
Locked
To pass (a vessel) through a lock.
Blocked
A large building divided into separate units, such as apartments.
Locked
To invest (funds) in such a way that they cannot easily be converted into cash.
Blocked
A length of railroad track controlled by signals.
Locked
To arrange or secure (an interest rate) for a loan.
Blocked
Something that obstructs; an obstacle
The disabled car formed a block in traffic.
Locked
To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.
Blocked
(Sports) An act of bodily obstruction, as of a player or the ball.
Locked
To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.
Blocked
(Football) An act of legally using one's body to obstruct or move a defensive player so that a player in possession of the ball may advance downfield, pass, or otherwise execute an offensive play.
Locked
To become fastened by or as if by means of a lock
The door locks automatically when shut.
Blocked
(Medicine) Interruption or obstruction of a physiological function
Nerve block.
Locked
To become entangled or jammed; interlock.
Blocked
(Psychology) A sudden cessation of speech or a thought process without an immediate observable cause, sometimes considered a consequence of repression. Also called mental block.
Locked
To become rigid or immobile
The mechanism tends to lock in cold weather.
Blocked
(Slang) The human head
Threatened to knock my block off.
Locked
To pass through a lock or locks in a waterway.
Blocked
To stop or impede the passage of or movement through; obstruct
Block traffic.
Mud that blocked the pipe.
Locked
Simple past tense and past participle of lock
Blocked
To prevent from happening, succeeding, or progressing
Blocked every attempt to reform the rules.
Locked
Having undergone locking; secured by a lock.
A locked door barred the way.
You can't delete a locked computer file.
Blocked
To shut out from view
A curtain blocking the stage.
Locked
(Ireland) Very drunk.
Blocked
To stop the passage of (a motion or bill) in a legislative assembly.
Locked
Bound to a carrier.
Blocked
(Sports) To prevent or slow the movement of (an opponent) by using one's body, as by making a block in football.
Locked
Firmly fastened or secured against opening;
Windows and doors were all fast
A locked closet
Left the house properly secured
Blocked
(Sports) To stop or deflect (a ball or puck) by using one's body.
Locked
Firmly fixed in place.
The gears were locked and wouldn't move.
Blocked
(Medicine) To interrupt or obstruct the functioning of (a physiological process), especially by the use of drugs.
Blocked
(Psychology) To fail to remember.
Blocked
To support, strengthen, or retain in place by means of a block.
Blocked
To shape, mold, or form with or on a block
Block a hat.
Blocked
To indicate broadly without great detail; sketch. Often used with out
Block out a plan of action.
Block out stage movements.
Blocked
To run (trains) on a block system.
Blocked
To obstruct the movement of an opponent by using one's body.
Blocked
To stop or deflect a ball or puck by using one's body.
Blocked
To suffer a mental block. Often used with on
I blocked on his name.
Blocked
Obstructed, so that through movement or flow is prevented or impeded.
This road is blocked, so we must find another route.
Call a plumber to unclog the blocked drain.
Blocked
Unable to move owing to an obstruction.
The argument was over a blocked car in a driveway.
Blocked
(of a person, telephone number, IP address, etc.) Banned or barred from connecting or logging on.
Blocked users will be unable to access their accounts indefinitely.
The phone will reject calls from blocked numbers.
Blocked
(of a computer account or similar) Disabled or disconnected, so as to prevent access.
All of this user's accounts are now blocked.
Blocked
Drunk
Blocked
Simple past tense and past participle of block
Blocked
Closed to traffic.
Blocked
At a complete standstill because of opposition of two unrelenting forces or factions.
Blocked
Unusable because of some obstruction.
Blocked
Closed to traffic;
The repaving results in many blocked streets
Blocked
Completely obstructed or closed off;
The storm was responsible for many blocked roads and bridges
The drain was plugged
Blocked
Prevented from functioning.
The drain was blocked with debris.
Blocked
Mentally hindered.
I'm feeling blocked and can't write this essay.
FAQs
Do both words come from Old English origins?
Yes, both "blocked" and "locked" have roots in Old English.
Can "locked" imply something is secure?
Yes, "locked" often denotes secure fastening against unwanted access.
Can an account be both "blocked" and "locked"?
Yes, though typically "blocked" suggests a ban, while "locked" implies temporary security measures.
Does "locked" always require a physical lock and key?
No, "locked" can refer to digital security or metaphorical firmness as well.
What's the main distinction between "blocked" and "locked"?
"Blocked" suggests obstruction, while "locked" implies secure fastening.
What does "locked in" mean?
"Locked in" often means committed or unable to change a decision or position.
Is "blocked" only used for physical obstructions?
No, "blocked" can also describe metaphorical hindrances, like mental blocks.
Is "blocking" the act of making something "blocked"?
Yes, "blocking" refers to the act of obstructing or hindering.
Can traffic be "blocked"?
Yes, traffic can be "blocked" due to accidents, construction, or other reasons.
Can "blocked" refer to a person's emotions?
Yes, someone can feel emotionally "blocked" or hindered.
Is a "lock" always necessary for something to be "locked"?
No, "locked" can be used more broadly to indicate any form of secure fastening.
Is "locked away" the same as "locked up"?
Generally, both mean securely confined, but "locked away" can emphasize long-term or hidden confinement.
Can you "lock" a gaze with someone?
Yes, you can "lock" gazes, meaning to make and maintain direct eye contact.
Is "blocked" synonymous with "banned" in digital contexts?
Often, but not always. "Blocked" can mean temporary or permanent restrictions.
Are "block" and "lock" verbs?
Yes, "block" and "lock" are both verbs, as well as nouns.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
