English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

openness

Quiz me More like this

Openness (noun) means a willingness to consider new ideas, people, or experiences. Example: “The company values openness to feedback from every employee.”

noun
1
A willingness to consider new ideas, people, or experiences.
"The company values openness to feedback from every employee."
2
Honesty and lack of secrecy; transparency.
"Their openness about the failed project earned them respect."

How to use openness

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe quality of being open — either honest and transparent, or receptive to new things.

Common pairings
openness to change radical openness a culture of openness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like openness.
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

Word forms

Plural
opennesses
Test yourself on “openness” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The company values _____ to feedback from every employee.

Etymology

From Old English openness, built from open plus the noun suffix "-ness" (as in "kindness" or "happiness").

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for openness

See all rhymes for openness →

Frequently asked questions

What does “openness” mean?
The word “openness” means a willingness to consider new ideas, people, or experiences. In plain terms, the quality of being open — either honest and transparent, or receptive to new things.
How do you use “openness” in a sentence?
Here is “openness” used in a sentence: “The company values openness to feedback from every employee.”
What part of speech is “openness”?
“Openness” is a noun.
Where does the word “openness” come from?
The word “openness” comes from Old English. From Old English openness, built from open plus the noun suffix "-ness" (as in "kindness" or "happiness").
Is “openness” a common word?
“Openness” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “openness” have?
“Openness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a willingness to consider new ideas, people, or experiences.

Featured in

People also searched