open-end

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounfinance

   Describing a financial arrangement, especially a fund, that can issue or redeem shares at any time and has no fixed end date.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: 'an open-end fund'. Not usually used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • open-end fund
   • open-end investment company
   • open-end mortgage

   An open-end fund creates new shares whenever investors put money in.

   She prefers open-end funds because she can sell her shares on any business day.

   The company converted from a closed-end to an open-end structure last year.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounbusiness

   Describing an agreement, question, or arrangement with no fixed limit or ending point, so it can be extended or changed.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: 'an open-end contract'. Compare 'closed-end', which has a fixed limit.

   Patterns

   • open-end contract
   • open-end agreement
   • open-end lease

   The union signed an open-end contract that can be renewed each year.

   Their open-end lease lets them keep the car after the term ends.

   We need an open-end agreement so we can add new services later.

Common combinations

open-end fund

Most mutual funds are open-end funds.

open-end mortgage

An open-end mortgage allows the borrower to take further loans against the same property.

open-end contract

The open-end contract has no set expiry date.

open-end lease

With an open-end lease, you may owe extra if the car is worth less at the end.

Synonyms and how they differ

open-ended

Very close in meaning, but 'open-ended' is the usual form for questions and discussions; 'open-end' is mainly a finance and business term.

revolving

Used for credit that is renewed as it is repaid; similar idea but not used for funds.

Opposites

Word family

open-ended adjective

Having no fixed limit or answer: 'an open-ended question'.

open-endedness noun

The quality of having no fixed limit or ending.

Commonly confused: open-end or open-ended?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “open-end”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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