ENGLISH
REFERENCE

openness

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈoʊpənəs// UK //ˈəʊpənnəs// open·ness

n. the quality of being honest and not hiding information. It also means being willing to listen to new ideas or different ways of doing things.

n. the quality of being receptive to new ideas or information; a state of transparency and lack of secrecy. Often refers to an individual's personality trait or a policy of institutional transparency.


SIMPLE

The manager encourages openness and honesty in every meeting.

CONTEXTUAL

The government's new policy of openness allows citizens to access records that were previously kept secret.

COMPLEX

Psychologists define openness to experience as a fundamental personality trait characterized by curiosity, aesthetic sensitivity, and a preference for variety over strict routine.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English *opennesse, from Old English openness (“openness, publicity”), equivalent to open + -ness. Cognate with Old High German offannussi (“disclosure, revelation, openness”).

Usage

Typically used as an abstract uncountable noun; often followed by the preposition 'to' when describing receptivity.

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