Open Definition

ōpən

opened, opening, opens

adjective

In a state which permits access, entrance, or exit; not closed, covered, clogged, or shut.

Open doors.

Webster's New World

Closed, but unlocked.

The car is open.

Webster's New World

In a state which permits freedom of view or passage; not enclosed, fenced in, sheltered, screened, etc.; unobstructed; clear.

Open fields.

Webster's New World

Having no protecting or concealing cover.

An open wound; an open sports car.

American Heritage

Completely obvious; blatant.

Open disregard of the law.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

opened, opening, opens

To make no longer closed or fastened.

Open a window.

American Heritage

To remove obstructions from; clear.

Open a drain.

American Heritage

To make an opening or openings in.

To open an abscess.

Webster's New World

To make or produce (a hole, way, etc.)

Webster's New World

To unclose, unfold, or unroll.

To open an umbrella.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
open-up
get to work
set-up-shop
receive business
go into business
open for business
hang-out-one-s-shingle
make-ready
put forward
make public
put on sale
make accessible
open to the public
put on view
make convenient

Antonyms:

noun

opens

An unobstructed area of land or water.

Sailed out of the harbor into the open.

American Heritage

The outdoors.

Camping in the open.

American Heritage

Any of various tournaments, esp. in golf or tennis, open to both professionals and amateurs.

Webster's New World

An undisguised or unconcealed state.

Brought the problem out into the open.

American Heritage

A beginning.

Shares were down at the market open.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

idiom

open fire

To begin firing a gun or guns.

American Heritage

open (one's) eyes

To become aware of the truth of a situation.

American Heritage

open out

to make or become extended or larger
to develop

Webster's New World

open to

glad or willing to receive, discuss, etc.
liable to; subject to

Webster's New World

open up

to make or become open
to spread out; unfold

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Open

Noun

Singular:

open

Plural:

opens

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Open

open fire
open (one's) eyes
open out
open to
open up
the open

Origin of Open

From Middle English open, from Old English open (“open”), from Proto-Germanic *upanaz (“open”), from Proto-Indo-European *upo (“up from under, over”). Cognate with Scots open (“open”), Saterland Frisian eepen (“open”), West Frisian iepen (“open”), Dutch open (“open”), Low German open, apen (“open”), German offen (“open”), Swedish öppen (“open”), Norwegian open (“open”), Icelandic opinn (“open”). Compare also Latin supinus (“on one's back, supine”), Albanian hap (“to open”). Related to up.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English upo in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition