Open I Door Extra Examples Wide Burst People

• a wasp flew in the open window.
• she had left the door wide open.
• the castle gates swung open.
• the door burst open and the children rushed in.

open

1. allowing things or people to go through; not closed or blocked
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• A wasp flew in the open window.
• She had left the door wide open.
• The castle gates swung open.
• The door burst open and the children rushed in.
• She held the door open for them.
• In spite of the snow, the roads remained open.
• The mountain pass is kept open all year.
• open borders
• Borders between the countries are open and passports are not required.
• Taylor headed the ball into the open goal.
2. with eyelids or lips apart
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• She had difficulty keeping her eyes open (= because she was very tired).
• He was breathing through his open mouth.
• She stared at him, her mouth hanging open.
3. spread out; with the edges apart
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• The flowers are all open now.
• The book lay open on the table.
• She put the money into his open hand.

Extra Examples

• She flipped open Chris's diary.
• She held her open palms out in front of her.
• This mechanism locks the blade in the open and closed position.
4. not fastened or covered, so that things can easily come out or be put in
• Leave the envelope open.
• The bag burst open and everything fell out.
• I tried to pry open the locket.
• The children ripped open the presents excitedly.
5. not fastened
• Her coat was open.
6. not surrounded by anything; not closed in
• open country/countryside (= without forests, buildings, etc.)
• a city with a lot of parks and wide open spaces
• driving along the open road (= part of a road in the country, where you can drive fast)
• We left port and headed for the open sea.

Extra Examples

• It's very open where they live.
• fairly open countryside
• The city has few parks and limited public open space.
• We walked to the farm across the open fields.
• The boat was stranded in the open water.
7. with no cover or roof on
• an open drain
• people working in the open air (= not in a building)
• The hall of the old house was open to the sky.
• an open wound (= with no skin covering it)
• They were living in a tent, cooking their meals on an open fire.
• She sliced open the side of her thumb cutting up a tomato.
• an open flame
8. if a shop, bank, business, etc. is open, it is ready for business and will allow customers or visitors to come in
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• Is the museum open on Sundays?
• The new store will be open in the spring.
• I declare this festival open.
• The bank is open for business again.

Extra Examples

• The bridge is officially open now.
• We want to keep the school open.
• Some of the supermarkets stay open all night.
• The exhibition is open from January until March.
9. if a competition, meeting, etc. is open, anyone can enter, attend it, etc.
• an open debate/championship/scholarship
• She was tried in open court (= the public could go and listen to the trial).
• The debate was thrown open to the audience.

Extra Examples

• The views of the public will be sought at a series of open meetings across Britain.
• The concept of universal open access to university courses for all is of great importance to the government.
• They will provide an open forum for the community to participate in the design sessions.
10. if a competition, building, etc. is open to particular people, those people can enter it
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• The competition is open to young people under the age of 18.
• The house is not open to the public.
• The car park is only open to residents.

Extra Examples

• The advice service is open to all members.
• The canal is open to walkers and cyclers.
• The events are open to all.
• The castle is open to visitors.
11. to be available and ready to use
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• Is the offer still open?
• I want to keep my Swiss bank account open.
• What options are open to us?
• My advice is to keep your options open.
• We have kept the door open for future discussions.
12. if a phone line or other channel of communication is open, it is ready to take calls, receive requests, etc.
• OPPOSITE closed
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/closed
• Lines are open 8 am to 7 pm weekdays.
• It is important to keep communication channels open.
• Nominations are now open for this year's Design Awards.

Extra Examples

• Lines are now open and viewers can vote by calling this number.
• Entries are open for the Film Competition from 21 April to 31 May.
13. likely to suffer something such as criticism, injury, etc.
• SYNONYM vulnerable
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/vulnerable
• The system is open to abuse.
• He has laid himself wide open to political attack.
• Kasparov had left his bishop open (= not protected, in a game of chess).
14. known to everyone; not kept hidden
• an open quarrel
• We need more open government, starting with a Freedom of Information Act.
• their open display of affection
• His eyes showed open admiration as he looked at her.
• One more border skirmish could lead to open war.
15. honest; not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden
• SYNONYM frank
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/frank_2
• a frank and open discussion
• She was always open with her parents.
• He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.

Extra Examples

• The council has promised to create a more open and transparent process.
• I don't think you've been completely open with me.
• She's very open about her mistakes.
• I am a very open person and get along with most people.
• We will try to resolve any complaint you make in a fair and open manner.
• a free and open society
• They will help you if you are open and honest with them.
• They're very open about the crimes they've committed in the past.
16. willing to listen to and think about new ideas
• He was in an open frame of mind.
• They are very open to new ideas.
• I'm open to suggestions for what you would like to do in our classes.
17. not yet finally decided or settled
• The race is still wide open (= anyone could win).
• Which route is better remains an open question (= it is not decided).
• In an interview try to ask open questions (= to which the answer is not just ‘yes’ or ‘no’).
18. allowing something; making something possible
• The price is not open to negotiation.
• Some phrases in the contract are open to interpretation.
• What she means precisely is open to debate.

Extra Examples

• Jury decisions are sometimes open to question.
• The firm could leave itself open to the accusation that it failed to act.
• They have laid themselves open to the charge of being one-sided.
• All donations to political parties should be open to public scrutiny.
19. that does not have to be used on a particular day
• I have an open ticket, so I can travel any day I like.
• I didn't know how long I would be staying so I bought an open return.
20. with wide spaces between the threads
• an open weave
21. produced with the tongue in the lowest possible position
• COMPARE close2 (16)
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/close2_1#close2_sng_16
22. if something is an open secret, many people know about it, although it is supposed to be a secret
23. to open suddenly or violently; to make something open in this way
• The door burst open.
• Firefighters burst the door open and rescued them.
24. (to provide) the means of getting or reaching something; (to create) the opportunity for something
• The agreement will open the door to increased international trade.
• Our courses are the door to success in English.
25. to be willing to listen to or accept new ideas or suggestions
• Try to keep an open mind until you've heard all the facts.
26. to listen or look out for somebody/something that you might hear or see
27. to look for somebody/something while you are doing other things
• Police have asked residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
• I walked around the store, keeping an eye out for bargains.
28. to avoid making a decision now so that you still have a choice in the future
• At the moment I'm keeping my options open and applying for as many different jobs as possible.
29. available to buy without any limits
30. if you describe somebody or their life as an open book, you mean that you can easily understand them and know everything about them
31. an invitation to somebody to visit you at any time
32. if something is an open invitation to criminals, etc., it encourages them to commit a crime by making it easier
• Leaving your camera on the seat in the car is an open invitation to thieves.
33. fully aware of the possible problems or results of a particular course of action
• I went into this with my eyes open so I guess I only have myself to blame.
34. if you welcome somebody with open arms, you are extremely happy and pleased to see them

Word Origin

• Old English open (adjective), openian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch open and German offen, from the root of the adverb up.