adjective

open source

OH-pun SORSS

Quiz me More like this

Open source (adjective) means of software: released with its underlying code made publicly available under a licence that lets anyone read it, use it, change it and share their changed version. Example: “We chose an open source database because we could read the code ourselves rather than trust a sales brochure.”

adjective

technical Of software: released with its underlying code made publicly available under a licence that lets anyone read it, use it, change it and share their changed version.

"We chose an open source database because we could read the code ourselves rather than trust a sales brochure."

"The whole project is open source, so anyone can fork it and build their own version."

More generally, of designs, hardware, data or research: published so that others may freely inspect, reuse and modify it.

"The lab published an open source design for the ventilator so hospitals could build their own."

noun

The wider practice and community of developing software in the open, with contributions accepted from people outside the original team.

"She got into open source by fixing a typo in a documentation page and never really stopped."

How to use open source

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSoftware whose recipe is published, so anyone can look at it, change it and pass it on.

When to use it

Standard in technology writing and increasingly used outside it. Often hyphenated when it sits directly before a noun: an open-source licence.

Memory tip

Open source describes the licence, not the price. Some open source software is sold, and plenty of free-of-charge software is not open source.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

freeware source-available free software public domain

Common pairings

open source project open source licence open source software release something as open source open source contributor open source maintainer

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like open source.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “open source” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We chose an _____ database because we could read the code ourselves rather than trust a sales brochure.

Etymology

A compound of open and source, from source code, the human-readable form of a program before it is compiled or run.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

libre freely licensed publicly licensed free software movement community development openly licensed freely available

Antonyms

closed source proprietary

Related words

open generic proprietary patented possessive libre nonfree proprietorship

Rhymes for open source

source resource outsource

See all rhymes for open source →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between open source and free software?

Both describe software whose source code users may inspect and modify, and most programs qualify as both. The free software framing stresses users' freedoms as an ethical matter, while the open source framing stresses the practical benefits of collaborative development. The disagreement is largely about emphasis rather than about which programs qualify.

Does open source mean it costs nothing?

Not necessarily. The term is about the licence granting rights to the code, not about the price tag. Many open source products are given away, but companies also charge for supported builds, hosting or add-on services around the same code.

What is the difference between open source and source-available?

Source-available means you can read the code but the licence restricts what you may do with it, such as barring commercial use or redistribution. Open source licences allow use, modification and redistribution by anyone for any purpose. A project can publish its code and still not be open source in this sense.

What is the meaning of open source?

"open source" (adjective) means of software: released with its underlying code made publicly available under a licence that lets anyone read it, use it, change it and share their changed version.

People also searched

open generic proprietary patented possessive libre nonfree proprietorship