open
Looking for the meaning of open? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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Not closed
Not physically drawn together, closed, folded or contracted; extended
“an open hand; an open flower”
Actively conducting or prepared to conduct business.
“Banks are not open on bank holidays.”
Receptive.
“I am open to new ideas.”
Public
“He published an open letter to the governor on a full page of the New York Times.”
Candid, ingenuous, not subtle in character.
“The man is an open book.”
(of a formula) Having a free variable.
(of a set) Which is part of a predefined collection of subsets of X, that defines a topological space on X.
(of a walk) Whose first and last vertices are different.
(of a file, document, etc.) In current use; mapped to part of memory.
“I couldn't save my changes because another user had the same file open.”
Not fulfilled.
“I've got open orders for as many containers of red durum as you can get me.”
Not settled or adjusted; not decided or determined; not closed or withdrawn from consideration.
“an open question”
(stringed instruments) Of a note, played without pressing the string against the fingerboard.
(wind instruments) Of a note, played without closing any finger-hole, key or valve.
Not of a quality to prevent communication, as by closing waterways, blocking roads, etc.; hence, not frosty or inclement; mild; used of the weather or the climate.
“an open winter”
(Of correspondence) Written or sent with the intention that it may made public or referred to at any trial, rather than by way of confidential private negotiation for a settlement. (Opposite of "without prejudice")
“You will observe that this is an open letter and we reserve the right to mention it to the judge should the matter come to trial.”
Uttered with a relatively wide opening of the articulating organs; said of vowels.
Uttered, as a consonant, with the oral passage simply narrowed without closure.
(of a syllable) That ends in a vowel; not having a coda.
Made public, usable with a free licence and without proprietary components.
Resulting from an incision, puncture or any other process by which the skin no longer protects an internal part of the body.
Understanding "open"
The word **"open"** is a **adjective** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **N/A**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"open"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "open" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a adjective, the term "open" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "open" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as a standard English phoneme pattern. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "open" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "open" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a adjective. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "open" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "open". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (N/A), part of speech (adjective), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "open" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use open in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "open" can be used in academic and casual conversations.