| / English Dictionary |
OPEN
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Information that has become public
Example:
the facts had been brought to the surface
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):
general knowledge; public knowledge (knowledge that is available to anyone)
Derivation:
open (afford access to)
open (open to or in view of all)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):
tournament; tourney (a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner)
Derivation:
open (accessible to all)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Where the air is unconfined
Example:
camping in the open
Synonyms:
open; open air; out-of-doors; outdoors
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):
exterior; outside (the region that is outside of something)
Derivation:
open (having no protecting cover or enclosure)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
Example:
finally broke out of the forest into the open
Synonyms:
clear; open
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):
area; country (a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography))
Derivation:
open (affording free passage or view)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Ready for business
Example:
the stores are open
Classified under:
Similar:
active (full of activity or engaged in continuous activity)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Not having been filled
Example:
the job is still open
Classified under:
Similar:
available (obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness
Example:
a heart-to-heart talk
Synonyms:
candid; heart-to-heart; open
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
artless; ingenuous (characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious)
Derivation:
openness (characterized by an attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes); without concealment; not secretive)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition
Example:
her natural and open response
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unconstricted (not constricted physically or by extension psychologically)
Derivation:
openness (willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas))
Sense 5
Meaning:
Affording free passage or view
Example:
the open countryside
Synonyms:
clear; open
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unobstructed (free from impediment or obstruction or hindrance)
Derivation:
openness (without obstructions to passage or view)
open (a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed
Example:
they left the door open
Synonyms:
open; unfastened
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
ajar (slightly open)
wide-open (open wide)
Also:
open (affording free passage or access)
Antonym:
shut (not open)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Affording free passage or access
Example:
open ranks
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
yawning (gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something)
unstoppered ((of a container) having the stopper removed)
opened (made open or clear)
Also:
open; unfastened (affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed)
unsealed (not closed or secured with or as if with a seal)
Antonym:
closed (not open or affording passage or access)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Used of mouth or eyes
Example:
his mouth slightly opened
Synonyms:
open; opened
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
agape; gaping (with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe)
agaze; staring ((used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder)
wide; wide-eyed ((used of eyes) fully open or extended)
yawning (with the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness)
Antonym:
closed (used especially of mouth or eyes)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Having no protecting cover or enclosure
Example:
open sports cars
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unenclosed (not closed in our surrounded or included)
Derivation:
open (where the air is unconfined)
Sense 10
Meaning:
(set theory) of an interval that contains neither of its endpoints
Classified under:
Adjectives
Domain category:
math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)
Antonym:
closed ((set theory) of an interval that contains both its endpoints)
Sense 11
Meaning:
Open and observable; not secret or hidden
Example:
open ballots
Synonyms:
open; overt
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
visible (obvious to the eye)
undisguised (plain to see)
naked; raw (devoid of elaboration or diminution or concealment; bare and pure)
bald; barefaced (with no effort to conceal)
Also:
explicit; expressed (precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication)
public (not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole)
unconcealed (not concealed or hidden)
Derivation:
openness (characterized by an attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes); without concealment; not secretive)
Sense 12
Meaning:
Open to or in view of all
Example:
an open letter to the editor
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
public (not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole)
Derivation:
open (information that has become public)
Sense 13
Meaning:
With no protection or shield
Example:
an open wound
Synonyms:
exposed; open
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unprotected (lacking protection or defense)
Sense 14
Meaning:
Ready or willing to receive favorably
Example:
receptive to the proposals
Synonyms:
open; receptive
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
hospitable (having an open mind)
assimilative (capable of mentally absorbing)
admissive (characterized by or allowing admission)
acceptant; acceptive (accepting willingly)
Derivation:
openness (willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas))
Sense 15
Meaning:
Accessible to all
Example:
an open economy
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unrestricted (not subject to or subjected to restriction)
Derivation:
open (a tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play)
Sense 16
Meaning:
Not sealed or having been unsealed
Example:
the opened package lay on the table
Synonyms:
open; opened
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unsealed (not closed or secured with or as if with a seal)
Sense 17
Meaning:
Not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
Example:
our lawsuit is still undetermined
Synonyms:
open; undecided; undetermined; unresolved
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unsettled (still in doubt)
Sense 18
Meaning:
(of textures) full of small openings or gaps
Example:
a loose weave
Synonyms:
loose; open
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
coarse; harsh (of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles)
Sense 19
Meaning:
Possibly accepting or permitting
Example:
the time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
susceptible ((often followed by 'of' or 'to') yielding readily to or capable of)
Sense 20
Meaning:
Not requiring union membership
Example:
an open shop employs nonunion workers
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
nonunion (not belonging to or not allowing affiliation with a trade union)
Sense 21
Meaning:
Not defended or capable of being defended
Example:
open to attack
Synonyms:
assailable; open; undefendable; undefended
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
vulnerable (susceptible to attack)
III. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they open ... he / she / it opens
Past simple: opened
Past participle: opened
-ing form: opening
Sense 1
Meaning:
Make available
Example:
This opens up new possibilities
Synonyms:
open; open up
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
afford; give; yield (be the cause or source of)
Cause:
open; open up (become available)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
opening (opportunity especially for employment or promotion)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Become available
Example:
an opportunity opened up
Synonyms:
open; open up
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
arise; come up (result or issue)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Derivation:
opening (opportunity especially for employment or promotion)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Make the opening move
Example:
Kasparov opened with a standard opening
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
go; move (have a turn; make one's move in a game)
Domain category:
chess; chess game (a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
opening (the first of a series of actions)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Cause to open or to become open
Example:
Mary opened the car door
Synonyms:
open; open up
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Cause:
open; open up (become open)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):
unbar (remove a bar from (a door))
break open (open with force)
click open (open with a clicking sound)
reopen (open again or anew)
unlock (open the lock of)
unbolt (undo the bolt of)
unseal (break the seal of)
uncork (draw the cork from (bottles))
jimmy; lever; prise; prize; pry (to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open)
breach; gap (make an opening or gap in)
lance (open by piercing with a lancet)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Sentence example:
They want to open the doors
Antonym:
close (move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut)
Derivation:
opening (becoming open or being made open)
opening (the act of opening something)
opener (a person who unfastens or unwraps or opens)
opener (a hand tool used for opening sealed containers (bottles or cans))
Sense 5
Meaning:
Become open
Example:
The door opened
Synonyms:
open; open up
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):
fly open (come open suddenly)
unfasten (become undone or untied)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sentence example:
The doors open
Antonym:
close (become closed)
Derivation:
opening (becoming open or being made open)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Spread out or open from a closed or folded state
Example:
spread your arms
Synonyms:
open; spread; spread out; unfold
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
undo (cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):
divaricate (spread apart)
exfoliate (spread by opening the leaves of)
grass (spread out clothes on the grass to let it dry and bleach)
butterfly (cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking)
uncross (change from a crossed to an uncrossed position)
splay (spread open or apart)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Derivation:
opening (becoming open or being made open)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
display; exhibit; expose (to show, make visible or apparent)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Antonym:
close (cause a window or an application to disappear on a computer desktop)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Afford access to
Example:
The French doors give onto a terrace
Synonyms:
afford; give; open
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Sentence frame:
Something is ----ing PP
Derivation:
open (information that has become public)
opening (an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.
Example:
He opened the meeting with a long speech
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):
commence; embark on; start; start up (get off the ground)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):
inaugurate (open ceremoniously or dedicate formally)
call to order (open formally)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Antonym:
close (finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.))
Also:
open up (open up an area or prepare a way)
Derivation:
opening (a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise)
opening (the first of a series of actions)
opener (the first event in a series)
Sense 10
Meaning:
Start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
Example:
open a business
Synonyms:
open; open up
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):
establish; found; launch; set up (set up or found)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
The business is going to open
Antonym:
close (cease to operate or cause to cease operating)
Derivation:
opening (the first of a series of actions)
opening (a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise)
Sense 11
Meaning:
Have an opening or passage or outlet
Example:
The bedrooms open into the hall
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Sentence frame:
Something is ----ing PP
Derivation:
opening (an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship)
opening (an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity)
opening (an open or empty space in or between things)
Context examples:
She's too smart to be shot in the open.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
My father's eyes had closed upon the light of this world six months, when mine opened on it.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
I had opened the volume with some expectation of a revelation, though of what nature I could not imagine.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It was open, and led through a stone passage to a circular stairway, which went steeply down.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
Several times during the night he sprang to his feet when the shed door rattled open, expecting to see the Judge, or the boys at least.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
Thereupon the servant knocked in a very guarded manner; the door was opened on the chain; and a voice asked from within, “Is that you, Poole?”
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
The stern window was open, for it was a warm night, and you could see the moon shining behind on the ship's wake.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
A cold and melancholy walk of a couple of miles brought us to a high wooden gate, which opened into a gloomy avenue of chestnuts.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Such were my thoughts when the door of my apartment was opened and Mr. Kirwin entered.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
He opened the basket, and in a minute he had the table all shining with silver and glass, and studded with dainty dishes.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
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