OPEN

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does open mean? 

• OPEN (noun)
  The noun OPEN has 4 senses:

1. a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

2. where the air is unconfined

3. a tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play

4. information that has become public

  Familiarity information: OPEN used as a noun is uncommon.

• OPEN (adjective)
  The adjective OPEN has 21 senses:

1. affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed

2. affording free passage or access

3. with no protection or shield

4. open to or in view of all

5. used of mouth or eyes

6. not having been filled

7. accessible to all

8. not defended or capable of being defended

9. (of textures) full of small openings or gaps

10. having no protecting cover or enclosure

11. (set theory) of an interval that contains neither of its endpoints

12. not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought

13. not sealed or having been unsealed

14. without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition

15. ready or willing to receive favorably

16. open and observable; not secret or hidden

17. not requiring union membership

18. possibly accepting or permitting

19. affording free passage or view

20. openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness

21. ready for business

  Familiarity information: OPEN used as an adjective is very familiar.

• OPEN (verb)
  The verb OPEN has 11 senses:

1. cause to open or to become open

2. start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning

3. become open

4. begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.

5. spread out or open from a closed or folded state

6. make available

7. become available

8. have an opening or passage or outlet

9. make the opening move

10. afford access to

11. display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer

  Familiarity information: OPEN used as a verb is familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPEN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

clear; open

Context example:

finally broke out of the forest into the open

Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):

area; country (a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography))

Derivation:

open (affording free passage or view)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Where the air is unconfined

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

open; open air; out-of-doors; outdoors

Context example:

camping in the open

Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):

exterior; outside (the region that is outside of something)

Derivation:

open (having no protecting cover or enclosure)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):

tournament; tourney (a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner)

Derivation:

open (accessible to all)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Information that has become public

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

open; surface

Context example:

the facts had been brought to the surface

Hypernyms ("open" is a kind of...):

general knowledge; public knowledge (knowledge that is available to anyone)

Derivation:

open (open to or in view of all)

open (afford access to)

• OPEN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed

Synonyms:

open; unfastened

Context example:

they left the door open

Similar:

ajar (slightly open)

wide-open (open wide)

Also:

open (affording free passage or access)

Antonym:

shut (not open)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Affording free passage or access

Context example:

open ranks

Similar:

opened (made open or clear)

unstoppered ((of a container) having the stopper removed)

yawning (gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something)

Also:

unsealed (not closed or secured with or as if with a seal)

open; unfastened (affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed)

Antonym:

closed (not open or affording passage or access)

Sense 3

Meaning:

With no protection or shield

Synonyms:

exposed; open

Context example:

an open wound

Similar:

unprotected (lacking protection or defense)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Open to or in view of all

Context example:

an open letter to the editor

Similar:

public (not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole)

Derivation:

open (information that has become public)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Used of mouth or eyes

Synonyms:

open; opened

Context example:

his mouth slightly opened

Similar:

agape; gaping (with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe)

agaze; staring ((used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder)

wide; wide-eyed ((used of eyes) fully open or extended)

yawning (with the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness)

Antonym:

closed (used especially of mouth or eyes)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Not having been filled

Context example:

the job is still open

Similar:

available (obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Accessible to all

Context example:

an open economy

Similar:

unrestricted (not subject to or subjected to restriction)

Derivation:

open (a tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Not defended or capable of being defended

Synonyms:

assailable; open; undefendable; undefended

Context example:

open to attack

Similar:

vulnerable (susceptible to attack)

Sense 9

Meaning:

(of textures) full of small openings or gaps

Synonyms:

loose; open

Context example:

a loose weave

Similar:

coarse; harsh (of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Having no protecting cover or enclosure

Context example:

open sports cars

Similar:

unenclosed (not closed in our surrounded or included)

Derivation:

open (where the air is unconfined)

Sense 11

Meaning:

(set theory) of an interval that contains neither of its endpoints

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Antonym:

closed ((set theory) of an interval that contains both its endpoints)

Sense 12

Meaning:

Not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought

Synonyms:

open; undecided; undetermined; unresolved

Context example:

our lawsuit is still undetermined

Similar:

unsettled (still in doubt)

Sense 13

Meaning:

Not sealed or having been unsealed

Synonyms:

open; opened

Context example:

the opened package lay on the table

Similar:

unsealed (not closed or secured with or as if with a seal)

Sense 14

Meaning:

Without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition

Context example:

her natural and open response

Similar:

unconstricted (not constricted physically or by extension psychologically)

Derivation:

openness (willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas))

Sense 15

Meaning:

Ready or willing to receive favorably

Synonyms:

open; receptive

Context example:

receptive to the proposals

Similar:

assimilative (capable of mentally absorbing)

hospitable (having an open mind)

admissive (characterized by or allowing admission)

acceptant; acceptive (accepting willingly)

Derivation:

openness (willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas))

Sense 16

Meaning:

Open and observable; not secret or hidden

Synonyms:

open; overt

Context example:

open ballots

Similar:

bald; barefaced (with no effort to conceal)

visible (obvious to the eye)

undisguised (plain to see)

naked; raw (devoid of elaboration or diminution or concealment; bare and pure)

Also:

explicit; expressed (precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication)

public (not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole)

unconcealed (not concealed or hidden)

Derivation:

openness (characterized by an attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes); without concealment; not secretive)

Sense 17

Meaning:

Not requiring union membership

Context example:

an open shop employs nonunion workers

Similar:

nonunion (not belonging to or not allowing affiliation with a trade union)

Sense 18

Meaning:

Possibly accepting or permitting

Synonyms:

capable; open; subject

Context example:

the time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation

Similar:

susceptible ((often followed by 'of' or 'to') yielding readily to or capable of)

Sense 19

Meaning:

Affording free passage or view

Synonyms:

clear; open

Context example:

the open countryside

Similar:

unobstructed (free from impediment or obstruction or hindrance)

Derivation:

openness (without obstructions to passage or view)

open (a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water)

Sense 20

Meaning:

Openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness

Synonyms:

candid; heart-to-heart; open

Context example:

a heart-to-heart talk

Similar:

artless; ingenuous (characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious)

Derivation:

openness (characterized by an attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes); without concealment; not secretive)

Sense 21

Meaning:

Ready for business

Context example:

the stores are open

Similar:

active (full of activity or engaged in continuous activity)

• OPEN (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to open or to become open

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

open; open up

Context example:

Mary opened the car door

Cause:

open; open up (become open)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):

break open (open with force)

click open (open with a clicking sound)

reopen (open again or anew)

unlock (open the lock of)

unbolt (undo the bolt of)

unseal (break the seal of)

uncork (draw the cork from (bottles))

jimmy; lever; prise; prize; pry (to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open)

breach; gap (make an opening or gap in)

lance (open by piercing with a lancet)

unbar (remove a bar from (a door))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

They want to open the doors

Antonym:

close (move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut)

Derivation:

opening (the act of opening something)

opening (becoming open or being made open)

opener (a person who unfastens or unwraps or opens)

opener (a hand tool used for opening sealed containers (bottles or cans))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

open; open up

Context example:

open a business

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):

establish; found; launch; set up (set up or found)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

The business is going to open

Antonym:

close (cease to operate or cause to cease operating)

Derivation:

opening (the first of a series of actions)

opening (a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Become open

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

open; open up

Context example:

The door opened

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):

unfasten (become undone or untied)

fly open (come open suddenly)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence example:

The doors open

Antonym:

close (become closed)

Derivation:

opening (becoming open or being made open)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

He opened the meeting with a long speech

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

commence; embark on; start; start up (get off the ground)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):

inaugurate (open ceremoniously or dedicate formally)

call to order (open formally)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Antonym:

close (finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.))

Also:

open up (open up an area or prepare a way)

Derivation:

opener (the first event in a series)

opening (a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise)

opening (the first of a series of actions)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Spread out or open from a closed or folded state

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

open; spread; spread out; unfold

Context example:

spread your arms

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

undo (cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "open"):

divaricate (spread apart)

exfoliate (spread by opening the leaves of)

grass (spread out clothes on the grass to let it dry and bleach)

butterfly (cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking)

uncross (change from a crossed to an uncrossed position)

splay (spread open or apart)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

opening (becoming open or being made open)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Make available

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

open; open up

Context example:

This opens up new possibilities

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

afford; give; yield (be the cause or source of)

Cause:

open; open up (become available)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

opening (opportunity especially for employment or promotion)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Become available

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

open; open up

Context example:

an opportunity opened up

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

arise; come up (result or issue)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

opening (opportunity especially for employment or promotion)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Have an opening or passage or outlet

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

The bedrooms open into the hall

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

opening (an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship)

opening (an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity)

opening (an open or empty space in or between things)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Make the opening move

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

Kasparov opened with a standard opening

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

go; move (have a turn; make one's move in a game)

Domain category:

chess; chess game (a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

opening (the first of a series of actions)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Afford access to

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

afford; give; open

Context example:

The French doors give onto a terrace

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

open (information that has become public)

opening (an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "open" is one way to...):

display; exhibit; expose (to show, make visible or apparent)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Antonym:

close (cause a window or an application to disappear on a computer desktop)

 Context examples 

It was instantly opened by a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half-an-hour without once opening his lips.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Yes, I remember how he pulled it up in order to swing open the window.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Once or twice after that Skiff Miller opened his mouth and closed it again without speaking.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He had opened up for me the world of the real, of which I had known practically nothing and from which I had always shrunk.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

And when such an opening came, he knew by long experience to play for it and to play hard.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

If you have an invitation to an open house, accept it!

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I opened it in his own presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made in the country from which I had been so strangely delivered.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

But one evening my eyes were opened.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The great door flew open, and he beheld...

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)