open
open [open opens opened opening] adjective, verb, noun BrE [ˈəʊpən] NAmE [ˈoʊpən]
adjective
NOT CLOSED
1. allowing things or people to go through
• A wasp flew in the open window.
• She had left the door wide open.
•The door flew open and the children rushed in.
Opp: ↑closed
2. (of sb's eyes, mouth, etc.)with ↑eyelids or lips apart
• She had difficulty keeping her eyes open (= because she was very tired).
• He was breathing through his open mouth.
Opp: ↑closed
3. spread out; with the edges apart
• The flowers are all open now.
• The book lay open on the table.
Opp: ↑closed
4. not blocked by anything
• The pass is kept open all the year.
Opp: ↑closed
NOT FASTENED
5. not fastened or covered, so that things can easily come out or be put in
• Leave the envelope open.
• The bag burst open and everything fell out.
6. (of clothes)not fastened
• Her coat was open.
NOT ENCLOSED
7. not surrounded by anything; not confined
•open country (= without forests, buildings, etc.)
•a city with a lot of parks and open spaces
•driving along the open road (= part of a road in the country, where you can drive fast)
NOT COVERED
8. with no cover or roof on
•an open drain
•people working in the open air (= not in a building)
• The hall of the old house was open to the sky.
•an open wound (= with no skin covering it)
• (NAmE)an open flame In British English this is called a naked flame.
FOR CUSTOMERS/VISITORS
9. not usually before noun if a shop/store, bank, business, etc. is open, it is ready for business and will admit customers or visitors
• Is the museum open on Sundays?
• The new store will be open in the spring.
•The house had been thrown open to the public.
•I declare this festival open.
Opp: ↑closed
OF COMPETITION/BUILDING
10. if a competition, etc. is open, anyone can enter it
Syn: ↑public
•an open debate/championship/scholarship
•She was tried in open court (= the public could go and listen to the trial).
•The debate was thrown open to the audience.
11. not before noun ~ to sb if a competition, building, etc. is open to particular people, those people can enter it
• The competition is open to young people under the age of 18.
• The house is not open to the public.
Opp: ↑closed
AVAILABLE
12. not before noun ~ (to sb) to be available and ready to use
• What options are open to us?
• Is the offer still open?
•I want to keep my Swiss bank account open.
Opp: ↑closed
NOT PROTECTED
13. ~ (to sth) likely to suffer sth such as criticism, injury, etc.
Syn: ↑vulnerable
• The system is open to abuse.
• He has laid himself wide open to political attack.
•Kasparov had left his bishop open (= not protected, in a game of ↑chess ).
NOT HIDDEN
14. known to everyone; not kept hidden
•an open quarrel
•open government
•their open display of affection
• His eyes showed open admiration as he looked at her.
PERSON'S CHARACTER
15. honest; not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden
Syn: ↑frank
• She was always open with her parents.
• He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
16. ~ to sth (of a person)willing to listen to and think about new ideas
• I'm open to suggestions for what you would like to do in our classes.
NOT YET DECIDED
17. ~ (to sth) not yet finally decided or settled
• The race is still wide open (= anyone could win).
• The price is not open to negotiation.
•Some phrases in the contract are open to interpretation.
•Which route is better remains an open question (= it is not decided).
•In an interview try to ask open questions (= to which the answer is not just ‘yes’ or ‘no’).
CLOTH
18. with wide spaces between the threads
•an open weave
PHONETICS
19. (also low) (of a vowel)produced by opening the mouth wide
compare ↑close 2
more at burst openburst (sth) open at ↑burst v., leave the door open at ↑door, keep an eye open/outwith your eyes open at ↑eye n., on the open market at ↑market n., keep/leave your options open at ↑option
Word Origin:
Old English open (adjective), openian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch open and German offen, from the root of the adverb ↑up.
Thesaurus:
open adj.
1.
•an open display of affection
overt • • clear • • obvious • |informal under sb's nose • |disapproving blatant • • glaring •
Opp: secret, Opp: covert
a/an open/overt/clear/obvious/blatant attempt
open/overt/blatant discrimination
2. (approving)
•He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
direct • • blunt • • forthright • |often approving frank • • straight • • honest • • candid • |approving straightforward • • sincere • • truthful •
Opp: secretive
open/direct/forthright/frank/straight/honest/candid/straightforward/sincere/truthful about sth
open/direct/blunt/frank/straight/honest/candid/straightforward/sincere/truthful with sb
a/an open/direct/honest/sincere/truthful person
Synonyms:
honest
frank • direct • open • outspoken • straight • blunt
These words all describe people saying exactly what they mean without trying to hide feelings, opinions or facts.
honest • not hiding the truth about sth: ▪ Thank you for being so honest with me.
frank • honest in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like: ▪ To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
direct • saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand: ▪ You'll have to get used to his direct manner.
Being direct is sometimes considered positive but sometimes it is used as a ‘polite’ way of saying that sb is rude.
open • (approving) (of a person) not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden: ▪ He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
outspoken • saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people: ▪ She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.
straight • honest and direct: ▪ I don't think you're being straight with me.
blunt • saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite: ▪ She has a reputation for blunt speaking.
which word?
Honest and frank refer to what you say as much as how you say it: ▪ a(n) honest/frank admission of guilt. They are generally positive words, although it is possible to be too frank in a way that other people might not like. Direct, outspoken and blunt all describe sb's manner of saying what they think. Outspoken suggests that you are willing to shock people by saying what you believe to be right. Blunt and direct often suggest that you think honesty is more important than being polite. Open is positive and describes sb's character: ▪ I'm a very open person.
honest/frank/direct/open/outspoken/straight about sth
honest/frank/direct/open/straight/blunt with sb
a(n) honest/direct/straight/blunt answer
a frank/direct/blunt manner
Example Bank:
•I don't think you've been completely open with me.
•I found the door open.
•I tried to pry open the locket.
•In spite of the snow, the roads remained open.
•It's very open where they live.
•She flipped open Chris's diary.
•She flung the door open and rushed in.
•She held the door open for them.
•She stared at him, her mouth hanging open.
•She's very open about her mistakes.
•Some of the supermarkets stay open till ten.
•Suddenly the door flew open.
•The Australian premier declared the Olympic Games open.
•The bag fell open.
•The book lay open in front of him.
•The bridge is officially open now.
•The car park is only open to residents.
•The door was wide open.
•The gate swung open.
•The woman's mouth sagged open.
•We want to keep the school open.
•fairly open countryside
•I am a very open person and get along with most people.
•One more border skirmish could lead to open war.
•We need more open government, starting with a Freedom of Information Act.
•an open display of affection
Idioms: ↑an open secret ▪ ↑have an open mind ▪ ↑keep your ears open ▪ ↑open book ▪ ↑open doors for somebody ▪ ↑open invitation ▪ ↑open the way for somebody ▪ ↑open your eyes ▪ ↑open your mind to something ▪ ↑with open arms
Derived: ↑open into something ▪ ↑open out ▪ ↑open something up ▪ ↑open up
verb
DOOR/WINDOW/LID
1. transitive ~ sth to move a door, window, lid, etc. so that it is no longer closed
• Mr Chen opened the car door for his wife.
Opp: ↑close
2. intransitive to move or be moved so that it is no longer closed
• The door opened and Alan walked in.
• The doors of the bus open automatically.
Opp: ↑close
CONTAINER/PACKAGE
3. transitive ~ sth to remove the lid, undo the ↑fastening, etc. of a container, etc. in order to see or get what is inside
• Shall I open another bottle?
• He opened the letter and read it.
•She opened her bag and took out her passport.
EYES
4. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) if you open your eyes or your eyes open, you move your ↑eyelids upwards so that you can see
Opp: ↑close
MOUTH
5. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) if you open your mouth or your mouth opens, you move your lips, for example in order to speak
• He hardly ever opens his mouth (= speaks).
BOOK
6. transitive ~ sth to turn the cover or the pages of a book so that it is no longer closed
• Open your books at page 25.
Opp: ↑close
SPREAD OUT
7. intransitive, transitive to spread out or ↑unfold; to spread sth out or ↑unfold it
• What if the parachute doesn't open?
• The flowers are starting to open.
•~ sth Open the map on the table.
•He opened his arms wide to embrace her.
BORDER/ROAD
8. transitive ~ sth to make it possible for people, cars, goods, etc. to pass through a place
• When did the country open its borders?
• The road will be opened again in a few hours after police have cleared it.
Opp: ↑close
FOR CUSTOMERS/VISITORS
9. intransitive, transitive (of a shop/store, business, etc.)to start business for the day; to start business for the first time
• What time does the bank open?
•~ sth The company opened its doors for business a month ago.
Opp: ↑close
10. intransitive to be ready for people to go to
• The new hospital opens on July 1st.
• When does the play open?
Opp: ↑close
START STH
11. transitive to start an activity or event
•~ sth You need just one pound to open a bank account with us.
• Who is going to open the conference?
•The police have opened an investigation into the death.
•Troops opened fire on (= started shooting) the crowds.
•~ sth with sth They will open the new season with a performance of ‘Carmen’.
12. intransitive ~ (with sth) (of a story, film/movie, etc.)to start in a particular way
• The story opens with a murder.
• How does the play open?
WITH CEREMONY
13. transitive ~ sth to perform a ceremony showing that a building can start being used
• The bridge was opened by the Queen.
COMPUTING
14. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) to start a computer program or file so that you can use it on the screen
more at pour out/open your heart to sb at ↑heart, the heavens opened at ↑heaven
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
Old English open (adjective), openian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch open and German offen, from the root of the adverb ↑up.
Thesaurus:
open verb
1. T
•I opened the letter and read it.
undo • • unwrap • • untie • • unzip •
open/undo/unwrap/untie a parcel/package
open/unwrap a present
open/unzip a bag
2. I, T
•What if the parachute doesn't open?
unfold • • spread • • lay sth out • • lay • • unroll •
Opp: close
open/spread/lay out/lay sth on sth
open/spread/lay sth out
open/unfold/spread out/lay out a map
3. T
•Police have opened an investigation.
begin • • start • |especially business journalism launch • |formal embark on/upon sth • • commence • • initiate • • institute •
Opp: close
open/begin/start/launch/embark on/commence/initiate/institute a/an campaign/inquiry
open/begin/start/initiate a discussion/conversation
open/begin/start a story/letter/sentence/day/year/meeting
Synonyms:
start
begin • start off • kick off • commence • open
These words are all used to talk about things happening from the beginning, or people doing the first part of sth.
start • to begin to happen or exist; to begin in a particular way or from a particular point: ▪ When does the class start?
begin • to start to happen or exist; to start in a particular way or from a particular point; to start speaking: ▪ When does the concert begin?
start or begin?
There is not much difference in meaning between these words. Start is more frequent in spoken English and in business contexts; begin is more frequent in written English and is often used when you are describing a series of events: ▪ The story begins on the island of Corfu. Start is not used to mean ‘begin speaking’: ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he started.
start off • (rather informal) to start happening or doing sth; to start by doing or being sth: ▪ The discussion started off mildly enough.
kick off • (informal) to start an event or activity, especially in a particular way; (of an event, activity, etc.) to start, especially in a particular way: ▪ Tom will kick off with a few comments. ◇ ▪ The festival kicks off on Monday, September 13.
commence • (formal) to start happening: ▪ The meeting is scheduled to commence at noon.
open • to start an event or activity in a particular way; (of an event, film/movie or book) to start, especially in a particular way: ▪ The story opens with a murder.
to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open with sth
to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open by doing sth
to start/begin/start off/commence as sth
a campaign/season/meeting starts/begins/starts off/kicks off/commences/opens
a film/movie/book starts/begins/starts off/opens
Example Bank:
•‘Open up!’ He hammered on the door.
•Fred opened it gingerly and peered inside.
•Her parachute failed to open.
•I opened out the map and laid it on the table.
•She opened all the windows wide to let some fresh air in.
•The glass doors opened automatically for him.
•The museum is due to open next year.
•opening up new markets
•the newly opened gallery of Western decorative art
•the opportunity to open up new markets
•He opened with a version of Elvis's ‘Can't Help Falling in Love.’
•I opened the story with Viola because I wanted the reader to ‘meet’ everybody through her eyes.
•The Annual General Meeting opens at 1pm on March 15th.
•The festival opens on Monday September 13.
•The flowers open in the morning and close again in the evening.
•What if the parachute doesn't open?
noun the opensingular
OUTDOORS
1. outdoors; the countryside
• Children need to play out in the open.
NOT HIDDEN
2. not hidden or secret
•Government officials do not want these comments in the open.
•They intend to bring their complaints out into the open.
Word Origin:
Old English open (adjective), openian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch open and German offen, from the root of the adverb ↑up.
See also: ↑low ▪ ↑open out
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