open up

verb

opened up; opening up; opens up

transitive verb

1
: to make available or possible
The discovery opens up the possibility of new cures.
2
: to make plain or visible : disclose
3
: to open by cutting into

intransitive verb

1
: to become available or possible
The hostess will let us know when a table opens up.
2
: to spread out or come into view
The road opens up ahead.
3
: to commence firing
4
: to become communicative
tried to get the patient to open up

Examples of open up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lulu, who is a singer like her parents, opened up to PEOPLE in 2019 about her experience growing up in a musical family. Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024 The private couple, who do not share photos of their children to protect their privacy, opened up publicly about their new arrival in an Instagram post on Friday. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 Munn, 43, who welcomed her son Malcolm in Nov. 2021, opened up about her own experience with the disease in a poignant Instagram post shared on March 13. TIME, 23 Mar. 2024 Sydney Sweeney is opening up about Euphoria season three and how the hit HBO series is increasingly becoming more secretive. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2024 The Star also contacted several of the winners of wholesale micro-licenses in the Kansas City area who detailed their plans to open up new facilities. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Riley Strain's stepdad opens up about family's difficult conversations as Nashville search intensifies Strain's body was spotted by workers at the river Friday morning, Drake said. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 It could be made to open up its iPhone to alternative app stores and its technologies like iMessage with Android phones. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 From here, a spacious balcony opens up to a stone pool with dramatic views to the south of Playa Guiones and the Costa Rican mountains. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of open up was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near open up

Cite this Entry

“Open up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20up. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

open up

verb
1
: to make available
2
: to make visible or come into view
the road opens up ahead
3
: to begin firing (as with a weapon or with questions)

More from Merriam-Webster on open up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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