adjective
opener; openest
[or more ~; most ~]
not closed: such as
not covering an opening
having an opening that is not covered
not sealed or locked
allowing movement or travel :not blocked
able to be entered and used by customers, visitors, etc.
having parts that are spread apart instead of folded together or attached
not containing or surrounded by walls, fences, buildings, etc.
b of a building or room :having few walls
including or allowing a particular group of people - usually + to
including or allowing all people
available to be used
b of a job, position, etc. :not yet taken :available for someone to take or fill
happening or done in public so that people can participate or know what is being said or done
not hidden or secret
expressing thoughts and feelings in a direct and honest way
willing to listen to or accept different ideas or opinions
not having ended :not yet finished or decided
allowing further comments or discussion
able to be criticized, harmed, doubted, etc. - usually + to
sports :not blocked or guarded by players from the other team
computers - used to describe a file, document, etc., that is being used
used to describe a microphone that is turned on
of fabric :having large openings or spaces between threads
keep your eyes open
with your/both eyes open
verb
opens; opened; opening
[+ obj] :to move (a door, window, etc.) so that an opening is no longer covered
[no obj] :to move and no longer cover an opening
The opposite of open is close in every sense except sense 10.
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to no longer be covered, sealed, or blocked
to separate the parts or edges of something [+ obj]
to make a hole or opening in (something) [+ obj]
to allow (a park, road, etc.) to be used [+ obj]
to begin the regular services or activities of (a business, school, etc.) [+ obj]
to begin the activities or services of (a business, school, etc.) for the first time [+ obj]
to begin (something) [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to begin keeping money in (an account at a bank)
[+ obj] computers :to begin to use (a file, document, or program) on a computer
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] :to allow movement or passage through a doorway or other opening
[no obj] :to have a specified price or be at a specified level at the beginning of the day
open doors for
to give special opportunities to (someone)
open fire
to begin shooting
open for
[phrasal verb]
open for (someone or something) :to perform before (the main performer at a concert, show, etc.)
open out
[phrasal verb] Brit :to become less shy and speak more freely
open someone's eyes
open the door
or open the way
to make (something) easier or more likely to happen - often + for or to
open to
[phrasal verb]
open (something) to (someone or something) :to allow (a particular group of people) to enter, use, or participate in (something)
open (someone or something) to (something) :to cause or allow (someone or something) to be affected by (something bad, such as criticism)
open up
[phrasal verb]
to become less shy and speak more freely
to begin shooting
used to demand that someone who is inside a room, building, etc., let you in
open up or open up (something) or open (something) up
to become or cause (something) to become available or possible
to become or cause (something) to become wider or less crowded
to develop or cause (something) to develop
open your bowels
open your doors
open your heart
to behave in a kind and generous way
open your mind
to become able to understand different ideas or ways of thinking
noun
plural opens
[count] :a competition (such as a major golf tournament or tennis tournament) that allows both professionals and amateurs to participate - usually used in names
the open
an area or place without walls, barriers, etc. :an area or place that is not covered or enclosed - used in the phrase (out) in/into the open
a situation in which something (such as a feeling) is no longer hidden or kept secret - used in the phrase (out) in/into the open
US