- open
- [[t]o͟ʊpən[/t]]
♦opens, opening, opened1) V-ERG If you open something such as a door, window, or lid, or if it opens, its position is changed so that it no longer covers a hole or gap.
[V n] He opened the window and looked out...
The church doors would open and the crowd would surge out.
Ant:closed, shutADJOpen is also an adjective....an open window... A door had been forced open.
2) VERB If you open something such as a bottle, box, parcel, or envelope, you move, remove, or cut part of it so you can take out what is inside.[V n] The Inspector opened the packet of cigarettes...
[V n] The capsules are fiddly to open.
ADJOpen is also an adjective....an open bottle of milk... I tore the letter open.
Open up means the same as open.Also V n P
V P n (not pron) He opened up a cage and lifted out a 6ft python.3) V-ERG If you open something such as a book, an umbrella, or your hand, or if it opens, the different parts of it move away from each other so that the inside of it can be seen.[V n] He opened the heavy Bible...
[V n] She opens her umbrella, and walks up River Street...
The flower opens to reveal a Queen Bee...
The officer's mouth opened, showing white, even teeth.
ADJ-GRADEDOpen is also an adjective.Without warning, Bardo smacked his fist into his open hand... His mouth was a little open, as if he'd started to scream.
PHR-V-ERGOpen out means the same as open.V n P
Keith took a map from the dashboard and opened it out on his knees. Also V P n (not pron) V P ...oval tables which open out to become circular.4) V-ERG When you open your eyes or your eyes open, you move your eyelids upwards, for example when you wake up, so that you can see.[V n] When I opened my eyes I saw a man with an axe standing at the end of my bed...
His eyes were opening wide.
ADJOpen is also an adjective.As soon as he saw that her eyes were open he sat up.
5) VERB If you open your arms, you stretch them wide apart in front of you, usually in order to put them round someone.[V n] She opened her arms and gave me a big hug.
6) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you stand or sit in an open way, the front of your body is fully exposed and you are not bending forward or at an angle to someone.Good listeners even sit in an open way: relaxed, arms loose...
I play normal bunker shots with an open stance.
7) ADJ-GRADED If you describe a person or their character as open, you mean they are honest and do not want or try to hide anything or to deceive anyone.He had always been open with her and she always felt she would know if he lied...
She has an open, trusting nature.
Derived words:openness N-UNCOUNT...a relationship based on honesty and openness.
8) ADJ: ADJ n If you describe a situation, attitude, or way of behaving as open, you mean it is not kept hidden or secret.The action is an open violation of the Vienna Convention...
Hearing the case in open court is only one part of the judicial process.
Derived words:openness N-UNCOUNT...the new climate of political openness.
9) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to n If you are open to suggestions or ideas, you are ready and willing to consider or accept them.They are open to suggestions on how working conditions might be improved.
Syn:10) ADJ: v-link ADJ to n If you say that a system, person, or idea is open to something such as abuse or criticism, you mean they might receive abuse or criticism because of their qualities, effects, or actions.The system, though well-meaning, is open to abuse...
They left themselves wide open to accusations of double standards and hypocrisy.
Syn:11) ADJ: oft v-link ADJ to n If you say that a fact or question is open to debate, interpretation, or discussion, you mean that people are uncertain whether it is true, what it means, or what the answer is.The truth of the facts produced may be open to doubt...
It is an open question how long that commitment can last.
12) V-ERG If people open something such as a blocked road or a border, or if it opens, people can then pass along it or through it.[V n] The rebels have opened the road from Monrovia to the Ivory Coast...
The solid rank of carabinieri lining the courtroom opened to let them pass.
Ant:ADJOpen is also an adjective.We were part of an entire regiment that had nothing else to do but to keep that highway open.
PHR-V-ERGOpen up means the same as open.V P n (not pron)
As rescue workers opened up roads today, it became apparent that some small towns were totally devastated... Also V n P V P When the Berlin Wall came down it wasn't just the roads that opened up but the waterways too.13) VERB If a place opens into another, larger place, you can move from one directly into the other.[V into/onto/to n] The corridor opened into a low smoky room.
Open out means the same as open.V P into/onto/to n
...narrow streets opening out into charming squares.14) ADJ: usu ADJ n An open area is a large area that does not have many buildings or trees in it.Officers will also continue their search of nearby open ground.
15) ADJ: ADJ n An open structure or object is not covered or enclosed.Don't leave a child alone in a room with an open fire.
...open sandwiches.
16) ADJ: usu ADJ n An open wound is one from which a liquid such as blood is coming.17) VERB If you open your shirt or coat, you undo the buttons or pull down the zip.[V n] I opened my coat and let him see the belt.
Syn:ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJOpen is also an adjective.The top can be worn buttoned up or open over a T-shirt. ...dressing informally in open shirt and cowboy boots.
18) V-ERG When a shop, office, or public building opens or is opened, its doors are unlocked and the public can go in.Banks closed on Friday afternoon and did not open again until Monday morning.
[V n] ...a gang of three who'd apparently been lying in wait for him to open the shop.
[V-ing] ...opening and closing times.
ADJOpen is also an adjective.His shop is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
19) V-ERG When a public building, factory, or company opens or when someone opens it, it starts operating for the first time.The original station opened in 1754...
[V to n] The complex opens to the public tomorrow...
[V n] They are planning to open a factory in Eastern Europe...
[V n] The Savoy Theatre was opened in 1881 by Richard D'Oyly Carte.
Ant:Derived words:ADJ: v-link ADJOpen is also an adjective....any operating subsidy required to keep the pits open.
20) V-ERG If something such as a meeting or series of talks opens, or if someone opens it, it begins....an emergency session of the Russian Parliament due to open later this morning...
[V n] They are now ready to open negotiations.
Derived words:opening N-SING the N of n...a communique issued at the opening of the talks.
21) V-ERG If an event such as a meeting or discussion opens with a particular activity, that activity is the first thing that happens or is dealt with. You can also say that someone such as a speaker or singer opens in a particular way.[V with n] The service opened with a hymn...
[V with n] She opened with an impressive version of `I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'...
[V by -ing] I opened by saying, `Honey, you look sensational.'...
[V n with n] Pollard opened the conversation with some small talk. [Also V n by -ing]
Syn:Ant:22) VERB On the stock exchange, the price at which currencies, shares, or commodities open is their value at the start of that day's trading.[V prep/adv] Gold declined $2 in Zurich to open at 385.50...
[V adj] In Paris and Milan, the dollar opened almost unchanged.
Ant:23) VERB When a film, play, or other public event opens, it begins to be shown, be performed, or take place for a limited period of time.A photographic exhibition opens at the Royal College of Art on Wednesday...
This show, too, was virtually sold out before it opened.
Derived words:opening N-SING the N of nHe is due to attend the opening of the Asian Games on Saturday.
24) VERB If you open an account with a bank or a commercial organization, you begin to use their services.[V n] He tried to open an account at the branch of his bank nearest to his workplace.
25) ADJ: v-link ADJ to n If an opportunity or choice is open to you, you are able to do a particular thing if you choose to.There are a wide range of career opportunities open to young people.
26) V-ERG To open opportunities or possibilities means the same as to open them up.[V n] The chief of naval operations wants to open opportunities for women in the Navy. [Also V]
27) ADJ You can use open to describe something that anyone is allowed to take part in or accept.A recent open meeting of College members revealed widespread dissatisfaction...
A portfolio approach would keep entry into the managerial profession open and flexible.
...an open invitation.
28) ADJ: v-link ADJ If something such as an offer or job is open, it is available for someone to accept or apply for.→ See also opening 6)The offer will remain open until further notice.
29) PHRASE: PHR after v If you do something in the open, you do it out of doors rather than in a house or other building.Many are sleeping in the open because they have no shelter.
Syn:30) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If an attitude or situation is in the open or out in the open, people know about it and it is no longer kept secret.The medical service had advised us to keep it a secret, but we wanted it in the open.
31) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If something is wide open, it is open to its full extent.The child had left the inner door wide open.
32) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If you say that a competition, race, or election is wide open, you mean that anyone could win it, because there is no competitor who seems to be much better than the others.The competition has been thrown wide open by the absence of the world champion.
Phrasal Verbs:- open out- open up- open up- open out
English dictionary. 2008.
