open
Not closed or blocked; honest and receptive to ideas.
Word facts
Definition
Open describes something not closed or blocked, available to access or use. As a verb, to open means to make or become accessible. As an adjective, open also means honest, willing to listen, and receptive to new ideas.
Usage: Open has both physical senses (an open window) and metaphorical senses (an open mind, an open question). Open can also mean not decided: 'The question is still open'.
Example sentences
- 1
Please keep the door open — it helps with ventilation.
- 2
She has an open mind and listens before judging.
- 3
The shop opens at eight in the morning.
Word family
From Old English open ('open, manifest'), from Proto-Germanic *upanaz. Related to 'up' — an open door faces upward, unobstructed.
Open is the opposite of closed — physically and mentally. An open mind is one that hasn't closed off any possibilities.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does open-minded mean?
Open-minded means willing to consider new ideas and opinions without prejudice.
What is the noun form of open?
Openness is the noun for the quality. An opening refers to a gap or an opportunity.