opener; openest
1
: not closed: such as
a
: not covering an opening
an open gate/window
The door suddenly swung/flew open.
You left the blinds wide open.
b
: having an opening that is not covered
an open doorway
an open box/container
The meat was roasted over an open fire.
I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open.
Don't chew with your mouth open.
open cuts/wounds [=cuts/wounds not covered by skin]
staring with her eyes/mouth wide open
2
: not sealed or locked
open bottles of wine
There's already an open jar of pickles in the refrigerator.
an open envelope
Go on in. The house/door is open. [=it is not locked]
3
: allowing movement or travel : not blocked
They kept the road open throughout the winter.
an open passageway
4
: able to be entered and used by customers, visitors, etc.
The new store is now open for business!
The store is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
The library will not be open on Labor Day.
The diner is open daily [=it is open every day] for breakfast.
It's hard to find an open restaurant this time of night.
We fought to keep the school open—but it closed anyway.
5
: having parts that are spread apart instead of folded together or attached
an open umbrella
Several of the pink roses are open this morning.
The book was left open at/to page 42.
Your zipper is open.
His shirt was open [=was not buttoned] at the neck/collar.
your open hands
She ran toward me with her arms wide open. [=with her arms held away from her body so that she could embrace me]
They'll welcome you with open arms. [=in a very kind and friendly way]
6
a
: not containing or surrounded by walls, fences, buildings, etc.
the wide open spaces of the American West
fish caught in the open ocean [=an area of ocean that is far from land]
He hung his clothes out to dry in the open air. [=outside]
traveling on the open road [=on roads that are away from cities and towns]
Miles and miles of open country [=land with few buildings] lie beyond the town.
b
of a building or room
: having few walls
The house has an open floor plan.
a bright, open kitchen
7
a
: including or allowing a particular group of people
—usually + to
The contest is open to children between the ages of 8 and 13.
The beach is open to residents only.
The university library is also open to the public.
The after-school program is open to anyone who needs extra academic help.
b
: including or allowing all people
a meeting that allowed for open debate on the issue
The town soccer program will hold open registration [=a time when people can register to participate] from now until September 21.
an open golf tournament [=a golf tournament for both amateur and professional players]
8
a
: available to be used
I haven't decided to take the job yet. I'm keeping my options open.
He gave us an open invitation to come and visit. [=he said we could visit any time we wanted]
Leaving your car running with the keys inside is an open invitation to thieves.
—often + toIt's the only course open to us.
Few career paths were open to women then.
b
of a job, position, etc.
: not yet taken : available for someone to take or fill
The job/position is still open. [=vacant]
She's running for one of two open seats on the committee.
9
: happening or done in public so that people can participate or know what is being said or done
The committee is holding open hearings on the issue.
open sessions/meetings
He testified in open court. [=in a court that anyone is allowed to attend]
10
: not hidden or secret
He is now facing open [=undisguised, overt] hostility from members of his own political party.
They're in open disagreement about what should be done next.
She speaks of the government with open disdain.
his open affection for his wife
open warfare
11
: expressing thoughts and feelings in a direct and honest way
Be open [=candid, frank] with each other about your feelings.
She encourages open communication between family members.
an open discussion about religion
12
: willing to listen to or accept different ideas or opinions
a free and open society
We have one of the best systems in the country, but we're always open to suggestions.
I know it's different, but try to keep an open mind.
She spoke to them with an open mind and an open heart.
13
a
: not having ended : not yet finished or decided
The case remains open to this day. [=it has not been solved]
We can't talk about the case. It's still an open investigation. [=the police are still investigating the case]
The mayoral race is still wide open. [=any of the candidates could still win]
b
: allowing further comments or discussion
It's still an open question whether or not you may go.
The question is still open.
"Should we set a date for the next meeting?" "No, let's leave it open for now."
The issue is not open for discussion. [=we will not discuss the issue]
14
: able to be criticized, harmed, doubted, etc.
—usually + to
He lays/makes himself open [=subject, liable] to criticism with his foolish remarks.
She argues that the current law is open to abuse [=the law can be abused] and should be changed.
It's open to doubt whether she will run for governor.
The author's exact meaning is open to question. [=no one knows exactly what the author means]
15
sports
: not blocked or guarded by players from the other team
She threw the ball to an open teammate.
I'm open! Pass me the ball!
16
computers
—used to describe a file, document, etc., that is being used
You should close any open programs/documents before you reboot your computer.
17
—used to describe a microphone that is turned on
He didn't realize that the microphone was open.
Her comments were heard over an open microphone.
18
of fabric
: having large openings or spaces between threads
an open mesh/texture fabric
an open weave wool sweater
opens; opened; opening
1
a
: to move (a door, window, etc.) so that an opening is no longer covered
This door is hard to open.
"Open the door!" shouted the police officer.
Would you mind if I opened a window?
Let's open (up) the curtains and let in some sunlight.
b
: to move and no longer cover an opening
The car door opened and a beautiful woman stepped out.
The door opened and closed so quietly that I didn't notice he had come in the room.
This drawer is stuck. It just won't open!
Note: The opposite of open is close in every sense except sense 10.
2
: to cause (something) to no longer be covered, sealed, or blocked
It's time to open (up) your birthday presents!
open a can/box/jar
She comes home, turns on the TV, and starts opening her mail.
The janitor opens the building [=unlocks the doors of the building] at 7 o'clock.
The city only opened (up) this street to cars five years ago.
3
: to separate the parts or edges of (something)
Open (up) your books to page 27.
She opened her eyes and smiled at me.
I opened my umbrella and stepped out into the rain.
"Open your mouth wide for me," said the dentist.
You haven't opened your mouth [=you have not said anything] since you've been here.
"Open wide," said the dentist.
His eyes opened slowly.
I can't get this suitcase to open.
The roses are starting to open (up).
4
: to make a hole or opening in (something)
The surgery requires opening (up) the patient's chest.
The heavens opened [=it began to rain] and the rain poured down. = The heavens opened up and the rain poured down.
5
: to allow (a park, road, etc.) to be used
The town opened the road again 10 days after the flood.
They've finally opened the bridge (up) to traffic again. [=allowed cars to use the bridge again]
The park opens every morning at dawn.
6
a
: to begin the regular services or activities of (a business, school, etc.)
We'll be opening (up) the café an hour early tomorrow morning.
The café will be opening (up) an hour early tomorrow morning.
What time does the library open?
The store opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.
b
: to begin the activities or services of (a business, school, etc.) for the first time
I've always dreamed of opening (up) a restaurant.
a newly opened elementary school
They're building a drugstore, which is scheduled to open in May.
We opened for business in 1955.
The play opens [=begins being performed] next week.
The film/movie opens [=begins being shown in movie theaters] nationwide later this month.
7
: to begin (something)
The police have opened (up) an inquiry/investigation into the matter.
We plan to open negotiations with the other side.
a way of opening debate/discussion on the issue
Let's open the bidding for this beautiful painting at $2,000.
Her most famous poem opens the new collection. [=it is the first poem in the new collection]
He always opens his speeches with a joke.
It's traditional to open baseball games with the national anthem.
She opened the meeting by thanking everyone for coming.
The song opens with a single voice singing a haunting melody.
The novel opens (up) with a description of a small apartment.
He always opens with a joke.
8
: to begin keeping money in (an account at a bank)
I opened (up) a new savings account at a different bank.
9
computers
: to begin to use (a file, document, or program) on a computer
opening (up) a new document/file
Open the program by double-clicking on the icon.
10
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to allow movement or passage through a doorway or other opening
The hallway opens (up) into a large family room.
A porch opens off the kitchen. = The kitchen opens onto a porch.
—often + outTheir bedroom opens out onto the backyard.
11
: to have a specified price or be at a specified level at the beginning of the day
The stock opened at $19 a share and closed at $22.
Stocks opened weak but closed strong.
plural opens
1
: a competition (such as a major golf tournament or tennis tournament) that allows both professionals and amateurs to participate
—usually used in names
She lost at Wimbledon but won the French Open.
a golfer who has played in several U.S. Opens
2
a
: an area or place without walls, barriers, etc. : an area or place that is not covered or enclosed
—used in the phrase (out) in/into the open
We slept out in the open with nothing above us but the stars.
We would look for deer feeding in the open [=away from the forest] at dusk.
food left out in the open [=uncovered and not put away]
b
: a situation in which something (such as a feeling) is no longer hidden or kept secret
—used in the phrase (out) in/into the open
Her true feelings were finally in the open.
He rarely fought his political battles in the open. [=he usually fought them in a secretive way]
Let's get everything out in the open. You've been lying to me, haven't you?
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/open. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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