ENGLISH
REFERENCE

open

adj. · v. · n.
US //ˈoʊpən// UK //ˈəʊpən// open
  1. 1 not closed (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    not closed or blocked, allowing people or things to go through.

    physically unobstructed or uncovered; allowing passage or access.

    Example

    Please leave the door open so the cat can come inside.

    Example

    The heavy gates remained open throughout the day to facilitate the delivery of construction materials to the site.
  2. 2 ready for business (adj.)
    A1 Beginner Business

    ready for customers to enter or for work to happen.

    available for business, use, or public access during specified hours.

    Example

    Is the pharmacy still open at this time of night?

    Example

    The museum is open to the public daily, though certain galleries may be restricted during private events.
Show 6 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 honest and clear (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    honest and willing to talk about your thoughts or feelings.

    transparent and candid in communication; not secretive or hidden.

    Example

    They have a very open relationship and talk about everything.

    Example

    The manager encouraged an open dialogue during the meeting, insisting that every team member share their concerns without fear of reprisal.
  2. 4 not yet decided (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not yet finished or decided.

    unresolved or not yet finalised; subject to further discussion or change.

    Example

    The date for the wedding is still open because we haven't found a place.

    Example

    Whether the policy will be implemented this year remains an open question, as the budget has not yet been approved.
  3. 5 to unfasten or move (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to move something like a door or a lid so that it is no longer closed.

    to move a door, lid, or similar barrier from a closed position to allow access.

    Example

    He opened the window to let some fresh air into the room.

    Example

    She carefully opened the ancient manuscript, mindful of the fragile parchment that had been sealed for centuries.
  4. 6 to start an event (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to begin a meeting, a show, or a new business.

    to formally begin or inaugurate an event, session, or commercial enterprise.

    Example

    The mayor will open the new hospital on Monday morning.

    Example

    The chairman opened the annual general meeting by thanking the shareholders for their continued support during the fiscal year.
  5. 7 a sports tournament (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    a competition that anyone can enter, including both professionals and amateurs.

    a sporting competition in which both professional and amateur players are eligible to compete.

    Example

    She is practicing hard for the tennis Open next month.

    Example

    Winning the national Open was the highlight of his career, especially as he was still considered an amateur at the time.
  6. 8 public view (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a place or situation where everyone can see what is happening.

    a state of being public or visible; often used in the phrase 'in the open'.

    Example

    It is better to discuss these problems in the open rather than keeping secrets.

    Example

    Once the scandal was out in the open, the company had no choice but to issue a formal apology to its customers.
Origin

Adjective from Middle English open, from Old English open (“open”), from Proto-West Germanic opan, from Proto-Germanic upanaz (“open”), from Proto-Indo-European *upo (“up from under, over”). Cognates * Scots apen (“open”) * Saterland Frisian eepen (“open”) * West Frisian iepen (“open”) * Cimbrian offe (“open”) * Dutch open (“open”) * German offen (“open”) * Vilamovian ufa, uffa (“open”) * Yiddish אָפֿן (ofn, “open”) * Danish åben (“open”) * Icelandic opinn (“open”) * Norwegian Bokmål åpen (“open”) * Norwegian Nynorsk open (“open”) * Swedish öppen (“open”) Compare also Latin supinus (“on one's back, supine”), Albanian hap (“to open”). Related to up. Verb from Middle English openen, from Old English openian (“to open”), from Proto-West Germanic opanōn, from Proto-Germanic upanōną (“to raise; lift; open”), from Proto-Germanic *upanaz (“open”, adjective). Cognate with Saterland Frisian eepenje (“to open”), West Frisian iepenje (“to open”), Dutch openen (“to open”), German öffnen (“to open”), Danish åbne (“to open”), Swedish öppna (“to open”), Norwegian Bokmål åpne (“to open”), Norwegian Nynorsk and Icelandic opna (“to open”). Related to English up. Noun from Middle English open (“an aperture or opening”), from the verb. In the sports sense, however, a shortening of “open competition”.

Word family
Idioms26 entries

© 2026 English Reference