open
verb/ˈəʊpən/
/ˈəʊpən/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they open | /ˈəʊpən/ /ˈəʊpən/ |
| he / she / it opens | /ˈəʊpənz/ /ˈəʊpənz/ |
| past simple opened | /ˈəʊpənd/ /ˈəʊpənd/ |
| past participle opened | /ˈəʊpənd/ /ˈəʊpənd/ |
| -ing form opening | /ˈəʊpənɪŋ/ /ˈəʊpənɪŋ/ |
- [transitive, intransitive] open (something) to move a door, window, lid, etc. into a position that is no longer closed; to get into this position
- Mr Chen opened the car door for his wife.
- She opened all the windows wide to let some fresh air in.
- He opened the lid of the piano.
- Do you have a key that opens this gate?
- The door opened and Alan walked in.
- The doors of the bus open automatically.
Extra Examples- When he opened the door of the wardrobe he found her hiding inside.
- Nobody ever opens the door to the attic.
- The train stops and the driver opens the doors.
- Police told the driver to open the boot.
- 'Open this door!' he shouted.
- I opened the front door and there stood Carl.
- She opened the fridge door and looked inside.
- Can we open a window please?
- The gates open to let water out.
- He was surprised when the elevator doors opened to see Gill standing there.
- The door opens and the light comes on.
- The window opens from the top.
- The windows won't open.
- The hatch opens and closes like this.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- wide
- gingerly
- …
- try to
- manage to
- fail to
- …
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- [transitive] open something to remove or undo the top, cover, etc. of a container or package in order to see or get what is inside
- Shall I open another bottle?
- He opened the letter and read it.
- She opened her bag and took out her passport.
- Go on then, open the box.
- I can't open this jar.
Extra Examples- A customs official ordered him to open the suitcase.
- Fred opened it gingerly and peered inside.
- This is for you—you can open it later.
- Someone had already opened the envelope.
- He actually opens and reads his own fan mail.
- She showed me how to open a bottle of champagne.
- She opened her purse and took out a £20 note.
- It appeared that the package had been opened.
- The cupboard was full of opened jars going mouldy.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- wide
- gingerly
- …
- try to
- manage to
- fail to
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] open (something) if you open your eyes or your eyes open, you move your eyelids upwards so that you can see
- When I opened my eyes a nurse was standing over me.
- Her eyes opened and she smiled.
Extra Examples- She couldn't open her eyes or respond.
- The patient is able to open and close his eyes.
- He opened one eye and then went back to sleep.
- You can open your eyes now.
- Witnesses saw him lying on the floor and saw his eyes open.
- His eyes suddenly opened and he saw me.
- Her eyes opened wider.
- The cat purrs and its eyes open and close slowly.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- wide
- gingerly
- …
- try to
- manage to
- fail to
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] open (something) if you open your mouth or your mouth opens, you move your lips, for example in order to speak
- He hardly ever opens his mouth (= speaks).
- I opened my mouth to call for help.
- Her mouth opened but no sound came out.
Extra Examples- I opened my mouth to say something, but thought better of it.
- The dentist told me to open my mouth wide.
- When she opens her mouth, everybody listens.
- He barely even opened his mouth to defend himself.
- Every time I open my mouth, I get into trouble.
- The moment she opens her mouth people can tell she's from Glasgow.
- Everything was fine until you opened your mouth.
- People ought to think twice before opening their lips.
- She opened her lips to sing.
- Is the baby yawning, or simply opening and closing its mouth?
- His mouth opened in astonishment.
- Her mouth opened in a scream.
- The fish's mouth opens and closes.
- The creature's mouth opened very wide.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- wide
- gingerly
- …
- try to
- manage to
- fail to
- …
- [transitive] open something to turn the cover or the pages of a book, newspaper, etc. so that it is no longer closed
- Open your books at page 25.
- When you open the pages of a magazine you are assailed by images of perfection.
Extra Examples- The students sat down and opened their books.
- I don't think he's ever opened a history book.
- She opened the book at a picture of an elephant.
- I opened my script to page 28.
- She opened her diary and made a note.
- He never even opened the instruction manual.
- I do wish you would open a dictionary once in a while.
- I felt I understood the character from the moment I opened the page.
- As soon as I opened the cover of this book, I was hooked.
- She couldn't wait to get her library books home, open the covers and start to read.
- I opened the test booklet and read the first question.
- He would open his Bible at a random page and read a verse.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- wide
- gingerly
- …
- try to
- manage to
- fail to
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] open (something) to start a computer program or file so that you can use it on the screen; to become available on a computer screen
- Open the camera app and tap ‘Options’.
- to open a file/page/window/tab
- The page opens in a new tab.
Extra ExamplesTopics Computersa1- You can open the dictionary from the keyboard.
- I can open our home page with a single tap.
- If an employee opens an infected file, all the computers on the network could be locked.
- You can open the file in a browser or copy the URL to your clipboard.
- I opened the email as soon as it arrived.
- Open a new tab on the spreadsheet.
- Open the page in a new tab.
- The web page asks you to open the document in Word.
- Explorer defaults to this page every time you open a new window.
- You don't have to open a separate app to edit the images.
- Every time the app opens it asks for a PIN.
- Start the app, and a document opens.
- Your programs will open faster and your battery will last longer.
- The contact's file opens in a separate window.
- [intransitive, transitive] to spread out or unfold; to spread something out or unfold it
- What if the parachute doesn't open?
- The flowers are starting to open.
- open something Open the map on the table.
- He opened his arms wide to embrace her.
Extra Examples- The bird opens its wings and flies away.
- Opening an umbrella indoors is said to bring bad luck.
- The ladies opened their fans.
- The plant opens its trumpet-shaped flowers during May.
- A January thaw might trick the plant into thinking spring has arrived and cause it to open some blooms.
- She opened her hand and I saw she was holding a coin.
- When he opens the piece of cloth, a large gold nugget is inside.
- This weekend the blossoms opened on the vines.
- Soon the buds will open.
- The cherry blossom trees will open in March.
- She couldn't get her umbrella to open.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- wide
- gingerly
- …
- try to
- manage to
- fail to
- …
- [transitive] to make it possible for people, cars, goods, etc. to pass through a place
- open something When did the country open its borders?
- The road will be opened again in a few hours after police have cleared it.
- open something to something The bridge was opened to traffic in March 2017.
Extra Examples- The agreement basically opened the borders between our two countries.
- The Montenegrin President decided to open the frontier with Albania.
- This week melting snow has opened the pass.
- Two lanes that were closed on the M25 near Junction 9 have now been opened again.
- The airline recently opened a new route from Australia to Los Angeles.
- The collapse of the bridge, which had only been opened 19 months, shocked everyone.
- The Trans-Siberian Railroad opened vast frontiers to development in the late 19th century.
- The group advocates opening wetlands to development.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- formally
- officially
- up
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be scheduled to
- …
- newly opened
- recently opened
- [intransitive, transitive] (of a shop, business, etc.) to start business for the day; to start business for the first time
- What time does the bank open?
- A theme park opened on the same site.
- The store opens for business on Friday.
- open something The company opened its doors for business a month ago.
- His dream was to open a restaurant.
- We just opened an office in Dallas.
Extra Examples- Small shops are worried they'll be put out of business when the supermarket opens.
- The town hopes to attract many more visitors when the convention center opens.
- The museum is due to open next year.
- The hotel opens for the season in March.
- The library doesn't open until 9:30.
- The shops open late on Thursdays.
- I got to the ticket office before it opened.
- She arrives early to open the restaurant.
- Coffee bars are opening new branches everywhere.
- The company recently opened a branch in Brussels.
- Sam opened an art store in Manhattan.
- She opened her own clothes shop.
- They're opening a day care center.
- He decided to open a gym but it was a failure.
- Last year the school opened a new sixth form.
- There was a debate about whether shops should open on Sunday.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- formally
- officially
- up
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be scheduled to
- …
- newly opened
- recently opened
- [intransitive] to be ready for people to go to
- The new hospital opens on July 1st.
- When does the play open?
- The building opened to the public in 2019.
Extra Examples- The festival opens on Monday September 13.
- The Annual General Meeting opens at 1pm on March 15th.
- The exhibition opens this weekend with a private view.
- The musical, which was a huge hit on Broadway, opens in the West End this spring.
- The day the show opened at the National Gallery, there were queues around the block.
- When the movie first opened it got great reviews.
- The movie opened simultaneously in theaters across America.
- When does the fishing season open?
- the newly opened gallery of Western decorative art
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- formally
- officially
- up
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be scheduled to
- …
- newly opened
- recently opened
- [transitive] open something to start an activity or event; to begin using or doing something
- You need just one pound to open an account with us.
- Who is going to open the conference?
- The police have opened an investigation into the death.
- Troops opened fire on (= started shooting at) the crowd.
- Sanches opened the scoring (= scored the first goal or point).
- open something with something They will open the new season with a performance of ‘Carmen’.
Express Yourself Conversation openersConversation openersWhat can you say when you have to speak to somebody for the first time or when you have to open a meeting? Here are some possible ways of starting a conversation or getting the audience's attention before a talk or speech:- Do you mind if I sit here?
- Hello, is this seat taken?
- May I join you? Can I get you a coffee?
- Lovely weather we’re having!
- Can you believe this rain?
- Excuse me, could I ask you a question?
- Shall we make a start? I think it's almost three o'clock.
- Shall we get started? I'd like to introduce our speaker.
- I think everyone's here, so I'd like to welcome you to this conference.
Synonyms startstartbegin ▪ start off ▪ kick off ▪ commence ▪ openThese words are all used to talk about things happening from the beginning, or people doing the first part of something.start to begin to happen or exist; to begin in a particular way or from a particular point:- When does the class start?
- When does the concert begin?
- The discussion started off mildly enough.
- Tom will kick off with a few comments.
- The festival kicks off on Monday, September 13.
- The meeting is scheduled to commence at noon.
- The story opens with a murder.
- to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open with something
- to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open by doing something
- to start/begin/start off/commence as something
- a campaign/season/meeting starts/begins/starts off/kicks off/commences/opens
- a film/book starts/begins/starts off/opens
Extra Examples- The coroner has been informed of the accident and he will be opening an inquest.
- The auctioneer opened the bidding at $4 million.
- His grandmother opened a savings account for him.
- A gunman opened fire, killing five people and wounding twelve.
- The session will be opened by the director of policy.
- “Stem Dance Theatre” from Bangalore opened the festival.
- Opening the concert, comedian Lenny Henry addressed the crowd.
- The West Indies team opened the tournament with a spectacular win against South Africa.
- Grey opened the meeting with a brief account of the history of the project.
- She opens her set with one of her best-known hits.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- formally
- officially
- up
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be scheduled to
- …
- newly opened
- recently opened
- [intransitive, transitive] (of a story, film, etc.) to start in a particular way; to make something start in a particular way
- How does the play open?
- open with something The story opens with a murder.
- He opened with a version of Elvis's ‘Can't Help Falling in Love’.
- open on something The film opens on a close-up of her face.
- open something with something I opened the story with Viola because I wanted the reader to ‘meet’ everybody through her eyes.
Extra Examples- The movie opens with a voiceover.
- Each chapter opens with a quotation.
- Many writers struggle to find the perfect sentence to open their novel.
- The series opens with a shocking scene.
- The sixth season of his talk show opened with a live broadcast.
- Our story opens on a dark night at sea.
- The film opens on a troop of marching soldiers.
- The scene opens on a sunny breakfast table.
- We open on an empty hall. It appears to be an old railway waiting room.
- The story opens in a late-19th century American village called Covington.
- [transitive] open something to perform a ceremony showing that a building can start being used
- The King officially opened the bridge in March.
Extra Examples- The bridge was opened by the King.
- People gathered to watch the Prime Minister officially open a new national exhibition centre.
- The arts centre will be opened by the mayor.
- The building was formally opened by Professor Gregory Walsh, the University's Vice-Chancellor.
- Nelson Mandela gave a speech here when he opened the Robben Island Museum.
- He plays a washed-up celebrity who makes a little bit of money opening supermarkets.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- formally
- officially
- up
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be scheduled to
- …
- newly opened
- recently opened
- to make it possible to reach, have, use or do something
- This decision opens the possibility of a fresh election.
- open something for somebody/something The bus pass has opened a new world for me.
- Computer modelling opened new avenues for research.
- open something to somebody/something The country opened its markets to the rest of the world for the first time.
Extra Examples- He wants trade deals to open new markets for US goods.
- to open the priesthood to women
- to open the school to girls
- a new law intended to open government jobs to people previously excluded
door/window/lid
container/package
eyes
mouth
book
computing
spread out
border/road
for customers/visitors
start something
with ceremony
make something possible
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
See open in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee open in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishthe heavens open
- it begins to rain heavily
- All at once the heavens opened and everyone rushed for cover.
open doors for somebody
- to provide opportunities for somebody to do something and be successfulTopics Successc2
open your/somebody’s eyes (to something)
- to realize or make somebody realize the truth about something
- Travelling really opens your eyes to other cultures.
open your/somebody’s mind to something
- to become or make somebody aware of new ideas or experiences
- He’s eager to open the minds of his audience to different kinds of music.
open the way for somebody/something (to do something)
- to make it possible for somebody to do something or for something to happen
- The agreement could open the way for the country to pay off its debts.
pour out/open your heart to somebody
- to tell somebody all your problems, feelings, etc.
- Finally, he broke down in tears and poured out his heart to her.
Check pronunciation:
open