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Definition of open adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

open

adjective
 
 
/ˈəʊpən/
 
/ˈəʊpən/
Idioms
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    not closed

  1.  
     allowing things or people to go through; not closed or blocked
    • A wasp flew in the open window.
    • She had left the door wide open.
    • The castle gates swung open.
    • The door burst open and the children rushed in.
    • She held the door open for them.
    • In spite of the snow, the roads remained open.
    • The mountain pass is kept open all year.
    • open borders
    • Borders between the countries are open and passports are not required.
    • Taylor headed the ball into the open goal.
    opposite closed
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • gape
    • hang
    • …
    adverb
    • fully
    • wide
    • partially
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
     (of somebody’s eyes, mouth, etc.) with eyelids or lips apart
    • She had difficulty keeping her eyes open (= because she was very tired).
    • He was breathing through his open mouth.
    • She stared at him, her mouth hanging open.
    opposite closed
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • gape
    • hang
    • …
    adverb
    • fully
    • wide
    • partially
    • …
    See full entry
  3.  
     spread out; with the edges apart
    • The flowers are all open now.
    • The book lay open on the table.
    • She put the money into his open hand.
    Extra Examples
    • She flipped open Chris's diary.
    • She held her open palms out in front of her.
    • This mechanism locks the blade in the open and closed position.
    opposite closed
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • gape
    • hang
    • …
    adverb
    • fully
    • wide
    • partially
    • …
    See full entry
    4.

    not fastened

  4.  
     not fastened or covered, so that things can easily come out or be put in
    • Leave the envelope open.
    • The bag burst open and everything fell out.
    • I tried to pry open the locket.
    • The children ripped open the presents excitedly.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • gape
    • hang
    • …
    adverb
    • fully
    • wide
    • partially
    • …
    See full entry
  5.  
     (of clothes) not fastened
    • Her coat was open.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • gape
    • hang
    • …
    adverb
    • fully
    • wide
    • partially
    • …
    See full entry
    6.

    not enclosed

  6.  
     not surrounded by anything; not closed in
    • open country/countryside (= without forests, buildings, etc.)
    • a city with a lot of parks and wide open spaces
    • driving along the open road (= part of a road in the country, where you can drive fast)
    • We left port and headed for the open sea.
    Extra Examples
    • It's very open where they live.
    • fairly open countryside
    • The city has few parks and limited public open space.
    • We walked to the farm across the open fields.
    • The boat was stranded in the open water.
    7.

    not covered

  7.  
     with no cover or roof on
    • an open drain
    • people working in the open air (= not in a building)
    • open to something The hall of the old house was open to the sky.
    • an open wound (= with no skin covering it)
    • They were living in a tent, cooking their meals on an open fire.
    • She sliced open the side of her thumb cutting up a tomato.
    • (North American English) an open flame
    In British English this is called a naked flame.

    8. for customers/visitors

  8.  
     [not usually before noun] if a shop, bank, business, etc. is open, it is ready for business and will allow customers or visitors to come in
    • Is the museum open on Sundays?
    • The new store will be open in the spring.
    • I declare this festival open.
    • The bank is open for business again.
    opposite closed
    Extra Examples
    • The bridge is officially open now.
    • We want to keep the school open.
    • Some of the supermarkets stay open all night.
    • The exhibition is open from January until March.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • declare something
    adverb
    • officially
    See full entry
    9.

    of competition/building

  9. if a competition, meeting, etc. is open, anyone can enter, attend it, etc.
    • an open debate/championship/scholarship
    • She was tried in open court (= the public could go and listen to the trial).
    • The debate was thrown open to the audience.
    Extra Examples
    • The views of the public will be sought at a series of open meetings across Britain.
    • The concept of universal open access to university courses for all is of great importance to the government.
    • They will provide an open forum for the community to participate in the design sessions.
  10.  
     [not before noun] open to somebody if a competition, building, etc. is open to particular people, those people can enter it
    • The competition is open to young people under the age of 18.
    • The house is not open to the public.
    • The car park is only open to residents.
    Extra Examples
    • The advice service is open to all members.
    • The canal is open to walkers and cyclists.
    • The events are open to all.
    • The castle is open to visitors.
    opposite closed

    11. available

  11.  
     [not before noun] to be available and ready to use
    • Is the offer still open?
    • I want to keep my Swiss bank account open.
    • open to somebody What options are open to us?
    • My advice is to keep your options open.
    • We have kept the door open for future discussions.
    opposite closed
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • remain
    • stay
    • …
    preposition
    • to
    See full entry
  12.  
     [not before noun] if a phone line or other channel of communication is open, it is ready to take calls, receive requests, etc.
    • Lines are open 8 am to 7 pm weekdays.
    • It is important to keep communication channels open.
    • Nominations are now open for this year's Design Awards.
    opposite closed
    Extra Examples
    • Lines are now open and viewers can vote by calling this number.
    • Entries are open for the Film Competition from 21 April to 31 May.
    13.

    not protected

  13.  
     likely to suffer something such as criticism, injury, etc. synonym vulnerable
    • open to something The system is open to abuse.
    • He has laid himself wide open to political attack.
    • Carlsen had left his bishop open (= not protected, in a game of chess).
    14.

    not hidden

  14.  
     known to everyone; not kept hidden
    • an open quarrel
    • We need more open government, starting with a Freedom of Information Act.
    • their open display of affection
    • His eyes showed open admiration as he looked at her.
    • One more border skirmish could lead to open war.
    15.

    honest

  15.  
     honest; not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden synonym frank
    • a frank and open discussion
    • open with somebody She was always open with her parents.
    • open about something He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
    Synonyms honesthonestfrank ▪ direct ▪ open ▪ outspoken ▪ straight ▪ bluntThese words all describe people saying exactly what they mean without trying to hide feelings, opinions or facts.honest not hiding the truth about something:
    • Thank you for being so honest with me.
    frank honest in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like:
    • To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
    direct saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand:
    • You’ll have to get used to his direct manner.
    Being direct is sometimes considered positive but sometimes it is used as a ‘polite’ way of saying that somebody is rude.    open (approving) (of a person) not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden:
    • He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
    outspoken saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people:
    • She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.
    straight honest and direct:
    • I don’t think you’re being straight with me.
    blunt saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite:
    • She has a reputation for blunt speaking.
    which word?
    • Honest and frank refer to what you say as much as how you say it:
      • a(n) honest/​frank admission of guilt.
      They are generally positive words, although it is possible to be too frank in a way that other people might not like. Direct, outspoken and blunt all describe somebody’s manner of saying what they think. Outspoken suggests that you are willing to shock people by saying what you believe to be right. Blunt and direct often suggest that you think honesty is more important than being polite. Open is positive and describes somebody’s character:
      • I’m a very open person.
    Patterns
    • honest/​frank/​direct/​open/​outspoken/​straight about something
    • honest/​frank/​direct/​open/​straight/​blunt with somebody
    • a(n) honest/​direct/​straight/​blunt answer
    • a frank/​direct/​blunt manner
    Extra Examples
    • The council has promised to create a more open and transparent process.
    • I don't think you've been completely open with me.
    • She's very open about her mistakes.
    • I am a very open person and get along with most people.
    • We will try to resolve any complaint you make in a fair and open manner.
    • a free and open society
    • They will help you if you are open and honest with them.
    • They're very open about the crimes they've committed in the past.
    Topics Personal qualitiesb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    preposition
    • about
    • with
    See full entry
  16.  
     willing to listen to and think about new ideas
    • He was in an open frame of mind.
    • open to something They are very open to new ideas.
    • I'm open to suggestions for what you would like to do in our classes.
    17.

    not yet decided

  17.  
     not yet finally decided or settled
    • The race is still wide open (= anyone could win).
    • Which route is better remains an open question (= it is not decided).
    • In an interview try to ask open questions (= to which the answer is not just ‘yes’ or ‘no’).
    18.

    making something possible

  18.  
     open to something allowing something; making something possible
    • The price is not open to negotiation.
    • Some phrases in the contract are open to interpretation.
    • What she means precisely is open to debate.
    Extra Examples
    • Jury decisions are sometimes open to question.
    • The firm could leave itself open to the accusation that it failed to act.
    • They have laid themselves open to the charge of being one-sided.
    • All donations to political parties should be open to public scrutiny.
    19.

    ticket

  19. that does not have to be used on a particular day
    • I have an open ticket, so I can travel any day I like.
    • I didn't know how long I would be staying so I bought an open return.
    20.

    cloth

  20. with wide spaces between the threads
    • an open weave
    21.

    phonetics

  21. (also low)
     (of a vowel) produced with the tongue in the lowest possible position compare close2 (16)
    22. Word OriginOld English open (adjective), openian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch open and German offen, from the root of the adverb up.
Idioms
be an open secret
  1. if something is an open secret, many people know about it, although it is supposed to be a secret
burst open | burst something open
  1. to open suddenly or violently; to make something open in this way
    • The door burst open.
    • Firefighters burst the door open and rescued them.
(open) the door to something
  1. (to provide) the means of getting or reaching something; (to create) the opportunity for something
    • The agreement will open the door to increased international trade.
    • Our courses are the door to success in English.
have/keep an open mind (about/on something)
  1. to be willing to listen to or accept new ideas or suggestions
    • Try to keep an open mind until you've heard all the facts.
keep your ears/eyes open (for somebody/something)
  1. to listen or look out for somebody/something that you might hear or see
keep an eye open/out (for somebody/something)
  1. to look for somebody/something while you are doing other things
    • Police have asked residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
    • I walked around the store, keeping an eye out for bargains.
keep/leave your options open
  1. to avoid making a decision now so that you still have a choice in the future
    • At the moment I'm keeping my options open and applying for as many different jobs as possible.
    Topics Preferences and decisionsc2
on the open market
  1. available to buy without any limits
an open book
  1. if you describe somebody or their life as an open book, you mean that you can easily understand them and know everything about them
an open invitation (to somebody)
  1. an invitation to somebody to visit you at any time
  2. if something is an open invitation to criminals, etc., it encourages them to commit a crime by making it easier
    • Leaving your camera on the seat in the car is an open invitation to thieves.
with your eyes open
  1. fully aware of the possible problems or results of a particular course of action
    • I went into this with my eyes open so I guess I only have myself to blame.
with open arms
  1. if you welcome somebody with open arms, you are extremely happy and pleased to see them
See open in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee open in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: open

Nearby words

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adjective
 
 
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