opener

noun

open·​er

ˈōp-nər, 

ˈō-pə- 

: one that opens

a bottle opener

: such as

a

openers plural : cards of sufficient value for a player to open the betting in a poker game

b

: the first item, contest, or event of a series

see also:

for openers

Examples of opener in a Sentence

The album's opener is a slow love song.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the final play of the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason opener, backup quarterback Kyle Allen scrambled left and got pinched off near the sideline. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Kirk got the win with 5 1/3 innings to beat NorCal in the unofficial state title game in the region opener on Sunday, two days before Martinez hurled a complete-game one-hitter to beat Hawaii in the region semifinal. — Dennis Pope, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

That being said, things didn't go great for the Atlanta Falcons in Friday's opener against the Denver Broncos. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

José Urquidy provided length as the bulk pitcher for the Sox, allowing three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 3 2/3 innings following opener Sean Newcomb’s 1 1/3 scoreless innings. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing opener

• bottle opener
• can opener
• eye-opener
• letter opener
• tin opener

Kids Definition

opener

noun

open·​er ˈōp-(ə-)nər 

: something used for opening

a bottle opener

a conversation opener