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Meaning & use

opener

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈəʊpənə/
US/ˈoʊpənər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A device used to open something that is closed or sealed, such as a can or bottle.

    Grammar: Usually part of a compound: can opener, bottle opener.

    Patterns

    • a bottle opener
    • a can opener

    I can't find the can opener anywhere in the kitchen.

    She used a bottle opener to pop the cap off the soda.

    The letter opener was shaped like a small silver sword.

  2. nouncountableinformal

    The first event, game, song or performance in a series or program.

    Grammar: Often used with season: the season opener, a show opener.

    Patterns

    • the season opener
    • an opener for someone

    The team won the season opener by two goals.

    The band played their biggest hit as the opener.

    A local singer was the opener at the festival.

  3. nouncountableinformal

    A first remark or line used to begin a conversation or speech.

    Grammar: Often modified by conversation: a good conversation opener.

    Patterns

    • a conversation opener
    • an opener for something

    Asking about the weather is a safe conversation opener.

    His joke made a great opener for the speech.

    She was nervous and could not think of an opener.

Word forms

pluralopeners

Common combinations

can opener
Use the can opener to open the tomatoes.
bottle opener
The bottle opener hung on a hook by the fridge.
season opener
Fans packed the stadium for the season opener.
conversation opener
A compliment is an easy conversation opener.
eye opener
Spending a week in the countryside was a real eye opener for her.

Synonyms and how they differ

opening
Opening is a more general word for the beginning of something and does not name a tool as opener can.
curtain-raiser
A curtain-raiser is a short event before the main one, whereas an opener can itself be the main first event.
starter
Starter often means the first course of a meal or the first item, and it is less common than opener for events.

Opposites

closerfinale

Word family

open verb
to make something not closed
opening noun
a gap, or the first part of something
openly adverb
without hiding anything
opened adjective
no longer closed

Commonly confused: opener or opener vs. opening?

opener vs opener vs. opening

An opener is a tool or a first item in a series, while an opening is a gap or the start of a process, such as a job opening.

Practice

The team's ____ is on Saturday, the first game of the new season.

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