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Meaning & use

open-heartedness

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˌəʊpən ˈhɑːtɪdnəs/
US/ˌoʊpən ˈhɑːrtɪdnəs/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    the quality of being kind, honest, and ready to trust and welcome other people

    Grammar: Uncountable, so it takes no plural and no 'a': you say 'a lot of open-heartedness', not 'an open-heartedness'.

    Patterns

    • open-heartedness toward someone
    • with open-heartedness

    Her open-heartedness made it easy for new colleagues to ask her for help.

    He was known for his open-heartedness toward strangers, always inviting them in for a meal.

  2. noununcountable

    the willingness to listen to new ideas and feelings without judging them too quickly

    Grammar: Also uncountable; often used with words like 'intellectual' or 'emotional' before it.

    Patterns

    • intellectual open-heartedness
    • open-heartedness about something

    The debate showed a rare open-heartedness about ideas that usually divide people.

    Teachers praised the students' open-heartedness in discussing difficult topics.

Common combinations

with open-heartedness
She greeted every guest with open-heartedness.
show open-heartedness
The team showed open-heartedness by supporting the new member.
a spirit of open-heartedness
The whole village acted in a spirit of open-heartedness after the flood.
open-heartedness toward
His open-heartedness toward critics surprised everyone.

Synonyms and how they differ

warmth
Warmth is friendlier and more about a pleasant manner; open-heartedness also suggests trust and honesty.
generosity
Generosity is mainly about giving money or time, while open-heartedness is about feelings and openness.
candor
Candor means speaking honestly, often about difficult things; open-heartedness is broader and includes kindness.

Opposites

closed-mindednesscoldness

Word family

open-hearted adjective
kind and willing to trust people
open-heartedly adverb
in a kind and trusting way

Commonly confused: open-heartedness or openhearted?

open-heartedness vs openhearted

This is the adjective, not the noun; you feel openhearted but you show open-heartedness.

Practice

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