Open meaning, definition, and synonyms

Open is a very common English word with several meanings. It can describe something not closed, something available or accessible, or something that is straightforward and not secret. It is also used as a verb for making something not closed or for starting something.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˈoʊpən/

Easy pronunciation: OH-puhn (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the first syllable.

Adjective: not sealed or having been unsealed.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Open Meaning

not closed; with the cover, lid, or seal removed

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: not sealed or having been unsealed

Example: The letter was already open.

Synonyms for this meaning:

opened — Works when something is no longer sealed or closed.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Open

Meaning 2

not shut; able to be entered or passed through

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed

Example: They left the door open.

Synonyms for this meaning:

unfastened — Works for things like doors, gates, and containers that are not fastened shut.

Meaning 3

with no cover or enclosure around it

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: having no protecting cover or enclosure

Example: an open boat

Meaning 4

exposed and unprotected

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: with no protection or shield

Example: The wound was open to the air.

Synonyms for this meaning:

exposed — A strong synonym when something is left unprotected.

Meaning 5

honest, direct, and not secretive

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness

Example: She has an open and trusting nature.

Synonyms for this meaning:

candid — A good match for speech, behavior, or attitude that is frank and honest.

Meaning 6

willing to consider or accept something

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: ready or willing to receive favorably

Example: He's open to new ideas.

Synonyms for this meaning:

receptive — Works when someone is willing to listen to or accept ideas.

Meaning 7

able to be interpreted or questioned in different ways

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: possibly accepting or permitting

Example: The statement is open to interpretation.

Synonyms for this meaning:

capable — Works in fixed patterns like 'open to interpretation' or 'open to question'.
subject — Only works in the phrase 'subject to'; it is not a general synonym for open.

Meaning 8

not decided yet; still unsettled

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought

Example: The question is still open.

Synonyms for this meaning:

undecided — Works for issues, questions, or choices that are not settled.
undetermined — Good for outcomes or results that are not yet fixed.
unresolved — Good when a problem or question has not been settled.

Meaning 9

clear and not blocked

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: affording free passage or view

Example: We had a clear view of the open countryside.

Synonyms for this meaning:

clear — Works when nothing blocks movement or sight.

Meaning 10

available to everyone

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: accessible to all

Example: The event is open to the public.

Meaning 11

ready to serve customers or operate

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: ready for business

Example: The stores are open.

Meaning 12

publicly visible or not hidden

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: open to or in view of all

Example: an open letter to the editor

Synonyms for this meaning:

overt — Works for actions, protests, or messages that are public and visible.

Meaning 13

public and not concealed

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: open and observable; not secret or hidden

Example: The donations were made in open view.

Meaning 14

loose and airy, with gaps in it

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: of textures) full of small openings or gaps

Example: The fabric has an open texture.

Synonyms for this meaning:

loose — Works for fabric, weave, or texture with gaps.

Meaning 15

outside, not inside a building

Part of speech: noun

Definition: where the air is unconfined

Example: We slept in the open.

Synonyms for this meaning:

open air — A strong match for the outdoors or fresh air.
out-of-doors — A less common but valid synonym for outdoors.
outdoors — A natural synonym for the outside area.

Meaning 16

a wide area with nothing blocking it

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

Example: They finally reached the open.

Synonyms for this meaning:

clear — Can fit in the sense of clear, unobstructed space, though it is less exact than 'the open'.

Meaning 17

publicly known facts or secrets

Part of speech: noun

Definition: information that has become public

Example: The story is finally out in the open.

Synonyms for this meaning:

surface — Can work when hidden information becomes public.

Meaning 18

to start a business or other operation

Part of speech: verb

Definition: start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning

Example: They opened a new cafe downtown.

Synonyms for this meaning:

open up — A natural verb phrase for starting a business or operation.

Meaning 19

to unfold or spread something out

Part of speech: verb

Definition: spread out or open from a closed or folded state

Example: She opened the map on the table.

Synonyms for this meaning:

spread — Works when something is made wider or unfolded.
spread out — Good for extending something from a folded or compact state.
unfold — A direct synonym when something is unfolded.

Meaning 20

to become possible or available

Part of speech: verb

Definition: become available

Example: A new opportunity opened up.

Synonyms for this meaning:

open up — Works for opportunities, chances, or options becoming available.

Meaning 21

to lead to or provide access to

Part of speech: verb

Definition: afford access to

Example: The door opens to the patio.

Synonyms for this meaning:

afford — Works in the sense of providing access, but is formal and not always interchangeable.
give — Only works in limited patterns like 'give access to'; not a general synonym.

Meaning 22

to make something open

Part of speech: verb

Definition: cause to open or to become open

Example: Mary opened the car door.

Synonyms for this meaning:

open up — A common verb phrase for causing something to open.

Meaning 23

to open by itself or as a result of movement

Part of speech: verb

Definition: become open

Example: The door opened.

Synonyms for this meaning:

open up — Works when something changes from closed to open.

Meaning 24

to start an event or talk

Part of speech: verb

Definition: begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.

Example: He opened the meeting with a short speech.

Meaning 25

to start a game with the first move

Part of speech: verb

Definition: make the opening move

Example: She opened with a strong attack.

Meaning 26

to show a file or launch an app

Part of speech: verb

Definition: display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer

Example: Click to open the file.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Open Synonyms

Similar Meaning

opened
unfastened
exposed
candid
receptive
undecided
unresolved
clear
open up

not shut or closed

unfastened

direct and honest

candid

willing to receive favorably

receptive

not settled yet

undecided
undetermined
unresolved

clear or unobstructed

clear

to start or make something start operating

open up

to unfold or spread out

spread
spread out
unfold

to become available

open up

to make something open

open up

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not use open as if it always means 'not closed'; it also means public, honest, available, or unresolved depending on the sentence.
Open up is a verb phrase, not a simple one-word synonym in every sense.
Opened can mean 'not closed' in some contexts, but it is not the same as the adjective open in all uses.
The open as a noun can mean outdoors or an unobstructed space; it is not the same as the adjective open.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main meaning of open?

The most common everyday meaning is 'not closed' or 'unsealed,' as in 'The door is open.'

What are the best synonyms for open?

The best synonym depends on the sense. For 'not closed,' use 'unfastened' or 'opened' in some contexts. For 'honest and direct,' use 'candid.' For 'willing to consider,' use 'receptive.'

Is open always an adjective?

No. Open can be an adjective, a verb, or a noun, depending on how it is used.

What does open mean in 'open to interpretation'?

It means something can be understood in different ways or is not fixed to one clear meaning.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.