opening

Happening at the beginning of an event, performance, or series.

• I enjoyed the opening scene.
• Her opening speech welcomed the new students.
• Who scored during the opening minutes of the match?

Similar words: first, initial, introductory

Opposites: closing, final

Common phrases: opening night, opening speech, opening scene, opening ceremony

A hole or space that someone or something can pass through.

• Light came through a small opening.
• The cat slipped through an opening in the wall.
• These openings allow air to enter the building.

How to use it: an opening in something (We found an opening in the fence.)

Similar words: gap, hole, aperture

Common phrases: narrow opening, opening in something, small opening, through an opening

The occasion when a new place first welcomes visitors or customers.

• The shop's opening is tomorrow.
• Hundreds of guests attended the museum's opening.
• Will you join us for the restaurant's grand opening?

How to use it: the opening of something (We attended the opening of the new library.)

Similar words: inauguration, launch

Opposites: closure

Common phrases: grand opening, official opening, opening of something, opening celebration

The act or process of making something open or becoming open.

• The opening of the door woke me.
• Warm sunlight encourages the opening of the flowers.
• The mechanism allows automatic opening and closing of the windows.

How to use it: the opening of something (A sensor controls the opening of the doors.)

Opposites: closing

Common phrases: opening the door, opening of something, automatic opening

The act or occasion of starting an activity, event, or business.

• The opening of talks brought hope.
• Factory openings created hundreds of jobs last year.
• The opening of the debate was delayed by a technical problem.

How to use it: the opening of something (The opening of negotiations was delayed.)

Similar words: start, beginning, commencement

Opposites: ending

Common phrases: opening of talks, opening a business, opening of proceedings