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Meaning & use

opened

verb, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈəʊpənd/
US/ˈoʊpənd/

“opened” is a form of “open”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    Moved or unfastened something so that people or things can pass through or look inside.

    Grammar: Takes an object: she opened the window.

    Patterns

    • opened something
    • opened something with something

    She opened the envelope carefully and read the letter.

    He opened the door to let the dog in.

    The doctor opened her bag and took out a small light.

  2. verbintransitive

    Became open, or started business for the day or for the first time.

    Grammar: No object: the shop opened at nine; the door opened slowly.

    Patterns

    • something opened at/on/in time

    The new library opened in September.

    The bank opened at nine, and a long line was already waiting.

    Her eyes opened slowly when the alarm rang.

  3. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Began a meeting, event, story or account.

    Grammar: Takes an object when you start something (opened an account); has no object when the event itself starts (the play opened with a song).

    Patterns

    • opened with something
    • opened an account

    The chair opened the meeting with a short welcome.

    She opened an account at the credit union last week.

    The film opened with a long shot of the sea.

  4. adjectivebefore a noun

    Describing something that has been unsealed or unfastened.

    Grammar: Appears before a noun: an opened bottle, an opened parcel.

    Patterns

    • an opened package

    An opened bottle of milk should be kept in the fridge.

    The opened package was lying on the doorstep.

    Do not eat from an opened can that has been left out.

Common combinations

opened the door
A neighbour opened the door and smiled.
opened an account
They opened an account for their daughter.
opened fire
The soldiers opened fire on the target.
newly opened
The newly opened cafe was crowded.
opened up about
He opened up about his illness for the first time.
opened wide
The dentist asked her to open wide, and she opened her mouth as far as she could.

Synonyms and how they differ

unlocked
Unlocked is narrower, as it means releasing a lock, but the door may still be shut afterward.
unfastened
Unfastened suits belts, buttons and clasps rather than doors or shops.
began
Began fits events but not doors or containers, so it replaces opened only in the starting sense.
unsealed
Unsealed suits envelopes, packages and jars and stresses breaking a seal.

Opposites

closedshut

Word family

open verb
the base verb
opener noun
a device or first item that opens
opening noun
a gap, or the start of something
openly adverb
without hiding anything
openness noun
honesty or willingness to accept new ideas

Commonly confused: opened or open?

opened vs open

Open is the adjective or base verb, as in the door is open, while opened is a past action or result, as in she opened the door.

Practice

She ___ the envelope carefully and read the letter inside.

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