adjective

open

OH-puhn

adjective

Not closed, blocked, or sealed — allowing entry, passage, or view.

"She left the window open to let in some air."

"The door was wide open when we arrived."

Available for business, use, or public access.

"The bakery is open from six in the morning."

"The pool stays open until late in summer."

Honest and willing to share thoughts or feelings; not secretive.

"He was open about his mistakes during the meeting."

verb

To make something no longer closed, or to cause it to become accessible.

"Could you open the window, please?"

"The store opens at nine."

noun

A competition that anyone meeting the entry conditions may enter, often used in sports like golf or tennis.

"She qualified for the US Open this year."

How to Use Open

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot shut — able to let things or people through, or, for a person, willing to share and communicate freely.

Common mistake

As an adjective it doesn't change form ("the shop is open," not "opened," for current state); "opened" describes the completed action of opening.

Common pairings

open the door open to suggestions wide open open for business

Word Forms

more open comparative, opener comparative, opened past tense, open plural, opened plural, opens plural, opens singular, open singular, opened singular, openest singular, openeth singular, openedst singular, most open superlative, openest superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She left the window _____ to let in some air.

Etymology

From Old English open, going back to a very old Germanic root meaning "up from under" — related to the English word "up."

Synonyms

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accessible unimpeded unseal

Antonyms

closed shut without prejudice checked closed-source proprietary bare

Related Words

accessible proprietary alley shut arcane generic closed bare

Rhymes for open

reopen

See all rhymes for open →

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accessible unimpeded unseal closed shut without prejudice checked closed-source proprietary bare alley arcane