openly
OH-puhn-lee
Openly (adverb) means In a direct, honest, and visible way, without hiding anything. Example: “The coach openly praised the young player in front of the whole squad.”
adverb
1
In a direct, honest, and visible way, without hiding anything.
"The coach openly praised the young player in front of the whole squad."
"She spoke openly about her struggles with anxiety."
"He openly admitted that he had made a mistake."
How to use openly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing or saying something without concealment, right out in the open.
Common pairings
speak openly
openly admit
openly gay
discuss openly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more openly
- Superlative
- most openly
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The coach _____ praised the young player in front of the whole squad.
Etymology
From Old English openlīċe, formed from open plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Related words
Rhymes for openly
See all rhymes for openly →Frequently asked questions
What does “openly” mean?
The word “openly” means in a direct, honest, and visible way, without hiding anything. In plain terms, doing or saying something without concealment, right out in the open.
How do you pronounce “openly”?
“Openly” is pronounced OH-puhn-lee (/ˈoʊpənli/ in IPA).
How do you use “openly” in a sentence?
Here is “openly” used in a sentence: “She spoke openly about her struggles with anxiety.”
What part of speech is “openly”?
“Openly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “openly” come from?
The word “openly” comes from Old English. From Old English openlīċe, formed from open plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly.".
Is “openly” a common word?
“Openly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "openly" and "publicly"?
"Openly" stresses honesty and a lack of concealment ("she spoke openly about her mistakes"), while "publicly" simply means in front of other people or in public view. Something can be done openly in a private setting, whereas doing it publicly means others can see it.
When should you use "openly" instead of "honestly"?
"Openly" describes doing something visibly and without hiding it, whereas "honestly" stresses telling the truth. You might disagree openly, out in the open for all to see, even when you are not making a point about truthfulness.
What words commonly follow "openly"?
"Openly" often pairs with verbs of expression and attitude, as in "openly admit," "openly criticize," "openly discuss," and "openly weep." It usually comes directly before the verb it modifies.
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