open

With a space or gap that allows someone or something to go in or out.

• The window is open.
• She left the box open on the table.
• Keep your mouth open while I check your teeth.

Opposites: closed, shut

Common phrases: open door, wide open, leave something open, open gate

Ready for people to enter, buy things, or use its facilities.

• The shop is open.
• Is the library open on Sundays?
• The restaurant stays open until midnight.

How to use it: open for something (The new cafe is open for business.); open to someone (The pool is open to hotel guests.)

Opposites: closed

Common phrases: open for business, open all day, open until midnight, open on Sundays

With computer code that people are allowed to see, use, and change.

• The project’s code is open.
• Developers can improve this open software together.
• We chose an open platform with publicly available code.

Similar words: open-source

Opposites: closed-source

Common phrases: open code, open software, open source

To move a door, lid, or similar thing so that people or things can pass through.

• Please open the door.
• She opened the window to let air in.
• Turn this handle to open the valve.

How to use it: open something for someone (He opened the gate for us.)

Opposites: close, shut

Common phrases: open the door, open a window, open the valve, open the gate

To get a business ready to serve customers, or begin serving them.

• We open at nine.
• She opened the shop early today.
• The new cafe will open next month.

How to use it: open for business (The restaurant opens for business tomorrow.); open at + time (The shop opens at eight.)

Opposites: close

Common phrases: open the shop, open for business, open at nine

To remove things that block a place, so people can pass through or see it.

• Workers opened the road by clearing fallen trees.
• The ship opened a channel through the ice.
• Removing the bushes opened a view of the lake.

Similar words: clear, unblock

Opposites: block

Common phrases: open a path, open the road, open a channel

A place outside where nothing covers or protects you or your things.

• We slept out in the open.
• Do not leave your tools in the open.
• The deer stepped into the open.

How to use it: in the open (The animals were standing in the open.)

Common phrases: in the open, into the open

A situation in which people know about something that was hidden or secret.

• The truth is finally out in the open.
• Her report brought the problem into the open.
• We need to get these concerns out in the open.

How to use it: bring something into the open (The interview brought their disagreement into the open.)

Common phrases: in the open, into the open