open

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Not shut or covered, allowing air, light, people, or things to pass through.

   Grammar: Often follows be or comes before a noun: an open window; say wide open for full extent.

   Patterns

   • an open door
   • leave something open
   • wide open
   • an open window

   Leave the window open so the room can cool down.

   The gate was open, but nobody had seen who entered.

   She found the box open on the kitchen table.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Available for people to enter, use, join, or take part in.

   Grammar: Commonly follows be: The clinic is open; an open meeting can also come before the noun.

   Patterns

   • be open to someone
   • open for business
   • an open position
   • an open meeting

   The museum is open to visitors every day except Tuesday.

   Applications are open until the end of the month.

   They held an open meeting so neighbors could ask questions.

3. 3adjectiveafter a verb

   Willing to consider new ideas, changes, suggestions, or other people.

   Grammar: Usually follows be and takes to: open to suggestions, not open about a secret fact.

   Patterns

   • be open to something
   • remain open
   • open to suggestions
   • open to offers

   The design team is open to simpler ideas.

   She remained open to moving if the job was right.

   I am open to offers, but I will not work weekends.

4. 4verbtransitive

   To move, remove, or unlock a cover or barrier so the inside can be reached.

   Grammar: Takes an object: open the door; use the intransitive sense when something becomes open by itself.

   Patterns

   • open something
   • open the door
   • open a window
   • open a box

   Can you open the window? It is stuffy in here.

   She opened the envelope with a clean knife.

   He opened the shop at eight every morning.

5. 5verbintransitive

   To become open or to start being available or in operation.

   Grammar: No object; the subject changes state: The door opened slowly.

   Patterns

   • the door opened
   • the shop opens at nine
   • the road opened

   The door opened before I touched the handle.

   The new library opens next spring.

   His eyes opened when the alarm rang.

Word forms

Common combinations

open the door

A gentle knock made her open the door.

open to the public

The garden is open to the public each May.

open for business

After repairs, the bakery is open for business again.

wide open

The suitcase lay wide open on the bed.

open to suggestions

We have a draft, and we are open to suggestions.

Synonyms and how they differ

ajar

Ajar means partly open; open does not say how far.

unclosed

Unclosed is neutral and less common; open is the natural everyday word.

accessible

Accessible fits the available sense, but not the physical not-shut sense of a door.

receptive

Receptive fits the willing-to-consider sense and is more formal than open.

Opposites

Word family

opening noun

A gap, beginning, or available job; also the -ing form of the verb.

openness noun

The quality of being honest, accessible, or willing to consider ideas.

opener noun

A tool or person that opens something, as in a can opener.

openly adverb

In a direct public way, without hiding.

Commonly confused: open or opened? open or ajar?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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