(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If you ~ something such as a door, window, or lid, or if it ~s, its position is changed so that it no longer covers a hole or gap.
He ~ed the window and looked out...
The church doors would ~ and the crowd would surge out.
? close, shut
VERB: V n, V
•
Open is also an adjective.
...an ~ window...
A door had been forced ~.
ADJ
2.
If you ~ something such as a bottle, box, parcel, or envelope, you move, remove, or cut part of it so you can take out what is inside.
The Inspector ~ed the packet of cigarettes...
The capsules are fiddly to ~.
VERB: V n, V n
•
Open is also an adjective.
...an ~ bottle of milk...
I tore the letter ~.
ADJ
•
Open up means the same as ~ .
He ~ed up a cage and lifted out a 6ft python.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P
3.
If you ~ something such as a book, an umbrella, or your hand, or if it ~s, the different parts of it move away from each other so that the inside of it can be seen.
He ~ed the heavy Bible...
The officer’s mouth ~ed, showing white, even teeth.
VERB: V n, V
•
Open is also an adjective.
Without warning, Bardo smacked his fist into his ~ hand...
His mouth was a little ~, as if he’d started to scream.
ADJ
•
Open out means the same as ~ .
Keith took a map from the dashboard and ~ed it out on his knees.
...oval tables which ~ out to become circular.
PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P, also V P n (not pron)
4.
If you ~ a computer file, you give the computer an instruction to display it on the screen. (COMPUTING)
Double click on the icon to ~ the file.
VERB: V n
5.
When you ~ your eyes or your eyes ~, you move your eyelids upwards, for example when you wake up, so that you can see.
When I ~ed my eyes I saw a man with an axe standing at the end of my bed...
His eyes were ~ing wide.
VERB: V n, V
•
Open is also an adjective.
As soon as he saw that her eyes were ~ he sat up.
ADJ
6.
If you ~ your arms, you stretch them wide apart in front of you, usually in order to put them round someone.
She ~ed her arms and gave me a big hug.
VERB: V n
7.
If you describe a person or their character as ~, you mean they are honest and do not want or try to hide anything or to deceive anyone.
He had always been ~ with her and she always felt she would know if he lied...
She has an ~, trusting nature.
ADJ
~ness
...a relationship based on honesty and ~ness.
N-UNCOUNT
8.
If you describe a situation, attitude, or way of behaving as ~, you mean it is not kept hidden or secret.
The action is an ~ violation of the Vienna Convention...
Hearing the case in ~ court is only one part of the judicial process.
ADJ: ADJ n
~ness
...the new climate of political ~ness.
N-UNCOUNT
9.
If you are ~ to suggestions or ideas, you are ready and willing to consider or accept them.
They are ~ to suggestions on how working conditions might be improved.
= receptive
ADJ: v-link ADJ to n
10.
If you say that a system, person, or idea is ~ to something such as abuse or criticism, you mean they might receive abuse or criticism because of their qualities, effects, or actions.
The system, though well-meaning, is ~ to abuse...
= susceptible
ADJ: v-link ADJ to n
11.
If you say that a fact or question is ~ to debate, interpretation, or discussion, you mean that people are uncertain whether it is true, what it means, or what the answer is.
It is an ~ question how long that commitment can last.
ADJ: oft v-link ADJ to n
12.
If people ~ something such as a blocked road or a border, or if it ~s, people can then pass along it or through it.
The rebels have ~ed the road from Monrovia to the Ivory Coast...
The solid rank of police officers lining the courtroom ~ed to let them pass.
? close
VERB: V n, V
•
Open is also an adjective.
We were part of an entire regiment that had nothing else to do but to keep that highway ~.
ADJ
•
Open up means the same as ~ .
As rescue workers ~ed up roads today, it became apparent that some small towns were totally devastated...
When the Berlin Wall came down it wasn’t just the roads that ~ed up but the waterways too.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
13.
If a place ~s into another, larger place, you can move from one directly into the other.
The corridor ~ed into a low smoky room.
VERB: V into/onto/to n
•
Open out means the same as ~ .
...narrow streets ~ing out into charming squares.
PHRASAL VERB: V P into/onto/to n
14.
An ~ area is a large area that does not have many buildings or trees in it.
Officers will also continue their search of nearby ~ ground.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
15.
An ~ structure or object is not covered or enclosed.
Don’t leave a child alone in a room with an ~ fire.
...~ sandwiches.
ADJ: ADJ n
16.
An ~ wound is one from which a liquid such as blood is coming.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
17.
If you ~ your shirt or coat, you undo the buttons or pull down the zip.
I ~ed my coat and let him see the belt.
VERB: V n
•
Open is also an adjective.
The top can be worn buttoned up or ~ over a T-shirt.
ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ
18.
When a shop, office, or public building ~s or is ~ed, its doors are unlocked and the public can go in.
Banks closed on Friday afternoon and did not ~ again until Monday morning.
...a gang of three who’d apparently been lying in wait for him to ~ the shop.
...~ing and closing times.
VERB: V, V n, V-ing
•
Open is also an adjective.
His shop is ~ Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
ADJ
19.
When a public building, factory, or company ~s or when someone ~s it, it starts operating for the first time.
The original station ~ed in 1754...
The complex ~s to the public tomorrow...
They are planning to ~ a factory in Eastern Europe...
? close, shut
VERB: V, V to n, V n
•
Open is also an adjective.
...any operating subsidy required to keep the pits ~.
ADJ: v-link ADJ
~ing (~ings)
He was there, though, for the official ~ing.
N-COUNT: usu sing
20.
If something such as a meeting or series of talks ~s, or if someone ~s it, it begins.
...an emergency session of the Russian Parliament due to ~ later this morning...
They are now ready to ~ negotiations.
VERB: V, V n
~ing
...a communique issued at the ~ing of the talks.
N-SING: the N of n
21.
If an event such as a meeting or discussion ~s with a particular activity or if a particular activity ~s an event, that activity is the first thing that happens or is dealt with. You can also say that someone such as a speaker or singer ~s by doing a particular thing.
The service ~ed with a hymn...
I ~ed by saying, ‘Honey, you look sensational.’...
Pollard ~ed the conversation with some small talk.
= begin
? end
VERB: V with n, V by -ing, V n with n, also V n by -ing
22.
On the stock exchange, the price at which currencies, shares, or commodities ~ is their value at the start of that day’s trading. (BUSINESS)
Gold declined $2 in Zurich to ~ at 385.50...
In Paris and Milan, the dollar ~ed almost unchanged.
? close
VERB: V prep/adv, V adj
23.
When a film, play, or other public event ~s, it begins to be shown, be performed, or take place for a limited period of time.
A photographic exhibition ~s at the Royal College of Art on Wednesday...
VERB: V
~ing
He is due to attend the ~ing of the Asian Games on Saturday.
N-SING: the N of n
24.
If you ~ an account with a bank or a commercial organization, you begin to use their services.
He tried to ~ an account at the branch of his bank nearest to his workplace.
VERB: V n
25.
If an opportunity or choice is ~ to you, you are able to do a particular thing if you choose to.
There are a wide range of career opportunities ~ to young people.
ADJ: v-link ADJ to n
26.
To ~ opportunities or possibilities means the same as to ~ them up.
The chief of naval operations wants to ~ opportunities for women in the Navy...
A series of fortunate opportunities ~ed to him.
VERB: V n, V
27.
You can use ~ to describe something that anyone is allowed to take part in or accept.
A recent ~ meeting of College members revealed widespread dissatisfaction...
A portfolio approach would keep entry into the managerial profession ~ and flexible.
...an ~ invitation.
ADJ
28.
If something such as an offer or job is ~, it is available for someone to accept or apply for.
The offer will remain ~ until further notice.
ADJ: v-link ADJ
see also ~ing 6
29.
If you do something in the ~, you do it out of doors rather than in a house or other building.
Many are sleeping in the ~ because they have no shelter.
PHRASE: PHR after v
30.
If an attitude or situation is in the ~ or out in the ~, people know about it and it is no longer kept secret.
The medical service had advised us to keep it a secret, but we wanted it in the ~.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR
31.
If something is wide ~, it is ~ to its full extent.
The child had left the inner door wide ~.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
32.
If you say that a competition, race, or election is wide ~, you mean that anyone could win it, because there is no competitor who seems to be much better than the others.
The competition has been thrown wide ~ by the absence of the world champion.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v
33.
with ~ arms: see arm
to ~ the door: see door
to keep your eyes ~: see eye
with your eyes ~: see eye
to ~ your eyes: see eye
to ~ fire: see fire
to ~ your heart: see heart
the heavens ~: see heaven
an ~ mind: see mind
to ~ your mind: see mind
to keep your options ~: see option