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

The actress previously opened up about her long-time commitment to staying strong. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 21 July 2026

But the chip giant is now shipping its own central processing units, or CPUs, which cloud providers could decide to deploy in place of those from Advanced Micro Devices and Intel, opening up a new battleground in AI servers. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 21 July 2026

This 'gold rush' effect is frequently triggered by evolving circumstances that open up new commercial opportunities, such as a technological breakthrough or changes in legal status that enable existing technology to be sold more freely. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Princess Delphine has attended royal events since and opened up about her relationship with her half-siblings. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for open up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

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)