open
open — verb
- openpresent simple I / you / we / they
- opens3rd person singular
- opening-ing form
- openedpast simple
1. to move something, or to move, from a shut position so people can pass, see, or
to move something, or to move, from a shut position so people can pass, see, or use it.
Nina opened the kitchen window after the soup burned.
open + door/window
The gate opened slowly when the guard pressed the button.
intransitive: gate/door opens
Please open your mouth so the dentist can check your teeth.
Sam opened the car door for his grandmother.
At sunrise, the white flowers opened across the garden wall.
文法句型
open + door/window/gate
[door/gate/flower] open(s)
open your mouth/eyes
用法筆記
This sense covers doors, windows, gates, mouths, eyes, and similar things that move from shut to unshut. Distinguish from sense 4, which focuses on removing a lid, wrapper, or seal to reach what is inside.
常見錯誤
2. to remove a lid, seal, or wrapping from a box, bag, bottle, or package in order
to remove a lid, seal, or wrapping from a box, bag, bottle, or package in order to reach the things inside.
Lily opened the parcel with scissors at the kitchen table.
open + parcel/jar/packet
We opened the jar and smelled fresh peach jam.
Ben opened the lunch box during the train ride.
The nurse opened a new bandage packet beside the bed.
At home, Grandma opened the tea tin for the guests.
文法句型
open + parcel/jar/packet
open + box/bag/bottle
用法筆記
The object is usually a box, bag, bottle, jar, packet, parcel, or similar container. Distinguish from sense 3, where a door, gate, mouth, or flower moves into an open position.
常見錯誤
3. if a business or public place opens, it begins serving people; if someone opens
if a business or public place opens, it begins serving people; if someone opens one, they start it.
The bakery opens at seven, so breakfast is easy here.
place opens at + time
A new clinic opened across from the station last month.
Our school library opens again after lunch at one.
The travel office opens late on Sundays in summer.
Mr. Patel opened a small flower shop near the temple.
文法句型
[shop/office/library] open(s) at + time
open + shop/business/place
用法筆記
The subject is usually a shop, office, clinic, library, museum, or similar place. With a person as subject, the object is the business or place they start; sense 6 is the ceremonial use.
常見錯誤
4. to let people use, enter, or join something that was not available before.
to let people use, enter, or join something that was not available before.
The town opened two free water stations during last summer's heat wave.
open a service for public use
Our school opened the gym to neighbors on rainy weekends.
open + place + to + group
After the flood, workers opened one lane of the bridge at dawn.
The museum opened its photo archive to students this spring.
The airline opened more seats after adding a larger plane.
- make available
the closest broad equivalent, especially in neutral writing
- provide
focuses more on giving a service or chance
- launch
often used for a new service, product, or program
文法句型
open something to someone
open more seats / classes / lanes
open a place or service for public use
用法筆記
The subject is often a school, company, government, or other organization, and the object is usually a place, service, route, or opportunity. Distinguish from sense 6 (READY), where someone officially declares a building or event ready.
常見錯誤
5. to make a file, website, or program appear on the screen so you can read or use
to make a file, website, or program appear on the screen so you can read or use it.
Lena opened the photo file to print Grandma's birthday picture.
open + file
Please open the map app before we leave the station.
open + app
Mr. Chen opened the spreadsheet during the sales meeting.
I opened the email attachment on the library computer.
The nurse opened Maya's record before the doctor came in.
文法句型
open a file
open a program or app
open an attachment or record
用法筆記
Use this sense for digital things on a screen, not for starting the machine itself. Distinguish from sense 3 (NOT CLOSED), where you move a door, lid, or similar object.
常見錯誤
6. to start, or to make an event, activity, or period start.
to start, or to make an event, activity, or period start.
The meeting opens at nine, so please arrive early.
intransitive: open at + time
Coach Rivera opened practice with ten minutes of stretching.
open + event with + first activity
The film opens with children running through a wet market.
A violin solo opened the awards night in Taipei.
The museum will open its winter show next Friday.
文法句型
open at + time
open with + first part
open + event/activity
用法筆記
Often used for meetings, shows, lessons, speeches, and stretches of time. Distinguish from sense 2, which is specifically about performing before the main act in a show.
常見錯誤
7. if an important person opens a building, exhibition, or event, they officially a
if an important person opens a building, exhibition, or event, they officially announce its start.
The mayor opened the new bridge with a short speech.
officially open + building/event
Mayor Wu opened the art festival on Friday morning.
A famous writer opened the book fair in Tainan.
President Chen opened the science center before the tour began.
Last spring, Dr. Lin opened the children's hospital wing.
- inaugurate
formal word for officially starting a public building or event
- launch
works for programmes and campaigns, but is broader
- dedicate
often used when a building or monument is formally presented
- close
to stop or end the event or service rather than begin it
文法句型
open + bridge/building/event
officially open + place/event
用法筆記
The subject is usually a mayor, president, royal, or other public figure, and the object is often a public building or event. Distinguish from sense 5, which is about regular business hours or starting a business.
常見錯誤
8. to perform first in a concert or show, before the star act comes on.
to perform first in a concert or show, before the star act comes on.
A local jazz band opened for the singer in Kaohsiung.
open for + main performer
Mina's band is opening for the main band at the arena.
Last year, Ethan opened for a comedian on the night market stage.
The school choir opened for the visiting rock group.
文法句型
open for + performer
open before + main act
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'for' plus the better-known act. Unlike sense 1, the subject here is the performer who appears first, not the event itself.
常見錯誤
open — noun
1. the outdoor space around you, especially when you are away from buildings or she
the outdoor space around you, especially when you are away from buildings or shelter.
After the tent tore, the scouts slept in the open by the river.
in the open = outdoors without cover
We ate lunch in the open while rain clouds hung over the hills.
At night, the goats were safer in the barn than out in the open.
Without a bus stop nearby, Mia waited in the open beside the highway.
The guide warned us not to leave food out in the open near camp.
文法句型
in the open
out in the open
用法筆記
Usually appears in the fixed phrases 'in the open' or 'out in the open'. It often suggests being outside without a roof, walls, or other cover.
常見錯誤
2. a state in which something is public and no longer hidden from other people.
a state in which something is public and no longer hidden from other people.
By noon, the secret was out in the open across the whole office.
out in the open = publicly known
Once the video reached reporters, the lie was in the open.
The couple's argument moved into the open during the parents' meeting.
After years of rumors, the payments finally came into the open.
With the court papers online, the case was fully out in the open.
- public view
a close neutral phrase for being visible to everyone
- public knowledge
emphasizes that many people already know the fact
- daylight
used figuratively in expressions like 'bring something into the daylight'
文法句型
out in the open
come into the open
be in the open
用法筆記
Most often used in phrases such as 'out in the open' and 'come into the open'. Distinguish from sense 1 (OUTDOORS), where the phrase refers to a physical place outside.
常見錯誤
3. a sports event or similar competition that many kinds of players may enter, not
a sports event or similar competition that many kinds of players may enter, not only a small chosen group.
Luca played in the county open with older and stronger golfers.
play in + open tournament
The club will host a junior open on Saturday morning.
a junior open
After the regional open, Amy earned a place on the team.
Hundreds of players entered the national open this summer.
Every spring, the beach town holds an open for young surfers.
- tournament
the broad general word and not necessarily open to all
- competition
very general and can refer to many kinds of contests
- championship
often sounds more formal and may suggest a top-level event
- invitational
a competition where only selected players may join
文法句型
a junior open
the national open
enter an open
用法筆記
Often follows a word naming the place, level, or age group, as in 'county open' or 'junior open'. Common in sports, especially golf, tennis, and similar tournaments.
常見錯誤
open — adjective
- openpositive
- more opencomparative
- most opensuperlative
1. in a position that lets people, air, or things pass because it has not been shut
in a position that lets people, air, or things pass because it has not been shut, locked, or fastened.
The back gate stood open after the delivery truck left.
be open for an unfastened barrier
An open suitcase spilled shirts across the hotel floor.
Please keep the kitchen window open while the paint dries.
Rosa noticed her coat was still open in the cold wind.
- unfastened
best when something has not been tied, buttoned, or closed properly
- unlocked
only fits things that can be locked
- ajar
means slightly open rather than fully open
文法句型
be open
leave + noun + open
keep + noun + open
用法筆記
Often used after verbs like 'be', 'leave', and 'keep', and also before nouns such as 'door' or 'window'. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about spaces or things with no cover around them.
常見錯誤
2. operating and ready to serve people, receive messages, or be used at that time.
operating and ready to serve people, receive messages, or be used at that time.
The bank is open until six on Fridays.
open until + time
Our help line stays open all night during storms.
stay open for service hours
Is this seat open, or is someone sitting here?
The online form will be open again after lunch.
- closed
not operating or not allowing people to use the service
- unavailable
broader opposite for something that cannot be used now
- out of service
used especially for phones, machines, and public facilities
文法句型
be open
open until + time
stay open
be open all night
用法筆記
Usually used after a linking verb to describe a shop, service, line, seat, or system that is currently available. Distinguish from sense 5, where 'open to' shows who may join or enter.
常見錯誤
3. without walls, a roof, or another cover around it or over it.
without walls, a roof, or another cover around it or over it.
We ate in an open courtyard behind the old station.
open + place noun
The sheep slept in an open field beside the river.
An open fire burned near the center of the camp.
Two fishermen crossed the lake in an open boat before dawn.
文法句型
open + place noun
open + field
open + fire
open + boat
用法筆記
Usually appears before nouns for outdoor spaces or things with no roof, lid, or enclosing sides. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about something that could be shut but is not shut now.
4. shown on a screen and ready for reading, changing, or using.
shown on a screen and ready for reading, changing, or using.
I still have your budget file open on my laptop.
have + file open
Three browser tabs were open during the video call.
Mina left the map app open while she walked downtown.
Can you keep the chat window open during the lesson?
文法句型
have + file open
leave + app open
keep + window open
用法筆記
Most common with files, tabs, apps, and windows that remain visible and usable on a screen. If you mean the action of making a file visible, use verb sense 8.
常見錯誤
5. allowing anyone, or a stated group, to enter, join, apply, or use something.
allowing anyone, or a stated group, to enter, join, apply, or use something.
The art contest is open to all high school students.
open to + group
This beach is open to the public after sunrise.
collocation: open to the public
Applications are open only to nurses with two years' experience.
The meeting is open to anyone who lives nearby.
- accessible
emphasizes that people are allowed to enter or use something
- public
fits places or events intended for everyone
- unrestricted
formal and stresses lack of limits or barriers
- restricted
limited to certain people or conditions
- exclusive
kept for a small group rather than everyone
- closed
not allowing people to enter, join, or attend
文法句型
open to + all
open to + noun phrase
open to the public
用法筆記
This sense usually takes 'to' and names who may enter, attend, or take part. Distinguish from sense 2, where a service or place is simply operating and ready now.
常見錯誤
6. known by other people, or expressed without trying to hide it.
known by other people, or expressed without trying to hide it.
There was open disagreement about the new fees at lunch.
open + disagreement
Lena's open support for the strike surprised the company board.
open + support
Open hostility followed the mayor through every market visit.
By June, their plan to leave was open knowledge in town.
- public
the broad everyday choice when something is known by everyone
- overt
formal and often used for feelings, acts, or opposition shown clearly
- unconcealed
formal and stresses that nothing is hidden
文法句型
open + support
open + criticism
open + hostility
open knowledge
用法筆記
Common with nouns such as 'support', 'criticism', 'hostility', and 'knowledge' when something is public rather than hidden. Distinguish from adjective sense 7, which is about being frank and willing to share thoughts.
7. willing to speak plainly about your feelings, plans, or problems instead of hidi
willing to speak plainly about your feelings, plans, or problems instead of hiding them from other people.
Maya was open about her divorce when the staff asked questions.
be open about + topic
The company was open with workers about the coming job cuts.
be open with + person
Unlike his brother, Ravi stayed open about the family debt.
At the press meeting, the coach was open about his fears.
- frank
direct and honest, sometimes stronger in tone
- candid
slightly more formal and common in interviews or serious talk
- upfront
informal and often used for early, clear disclosure
- forthcoming
often used when someone willingly gives information
文法句型
be open about + noun
be open about + -ing
be open with + person
用法筆記
Usually follows a linking verb and often takes 'about' for the topic or 'with' for the person listening. Distinguish from sense 6, where information itself is public rather than personally shared in a frank way.
常見錯誤
8. still not settled, so a choice, answer, or result may change later.
still not settled, so a choice, answer, or result may change later.
The wedding date is still open until Hana confirms the hall.
be open for an undecided matter
The judge left the amount of damages open until next month.
leave + noun + open
After the storm, the final bus route question remained open for another day.
Several jobs are possible, so Mina is keeping her summer plans open.
文法句型
be open
remain open
leave + noun + open
keep + noun + open
用法筆記
Most often used for plans, dates, outcomes, or legal matters that have not been fixed yet. Distinguish from sense 9, where 'open' describes the kind of question rather than an undecided issue.
常見錯誤
9. used for a question that invites explanation or opinion instead of a fixed short
used for a question that invites explanation or opinion instead of a fixed short reply.
The nurse asked an open question about how the pain began.
open question in an interview
Mr. Lin uses open questions so shy students speak in full sentences.
open questions in teaching
On the survey, the last item was open and invited comments.
In the interview, one open question led Rosa to tell her whole story.
- open-ended
the most common label in teaching and survey design
- free-response
common in tests and questionnaires
- closed
used for questions with fixed answer choices
- multiple-choice
specifically gives a set of prepared answers
文法句型
open question
open-ended question
open response
用法筆記
Usually comes before 'question' or similar task words in teaching, surveys, and interviews. It contrasts with questions that limit people to fixed answer choices.
常見錯誤
10. In music, produced without stopping the string with a finger, or without using k
In music, produced without stopping the string with a finger, or without using keys or valves on the instrument.
On the guitar, play the open string before moving your finger.
open string on a guitar
Eva tuned the violin by listening to each open string.
each open string
The horn player held an open note without using the valves.
In this song, the last chord starts with an open A.
文法句型
open string
open note
open chord
用法筆記
Mostly used by music teachers and players with words like 'string', 'note', or the name of a note such as 'open A'.
常見錯誤
11. ready to listen to suggestions or unfamiliar ideas and give them a fair chance.
ready to listen to suggestions or unfamiliar ideas and give them a fair chance.
Our new principal is open to ideas from parents and teachers.
be open to + noun
After the first test failed, the team stayed open to change.
At first Dad laughed, but he became open to trying online classes.
The editor sounded open to my suggestion for a shorter ending.
- resistant
not wanting to accept change or advice
- closed-minded
unwilling to consider new ideas
文法句型
be open to + noun
be open to + -ing
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'to' plus ideas, advice, change, or suggestions. Distinguish from sense 12, where 'open to' introduces a danger or criticism rather than something welcomed.
常見錯誤
12. easy to hurt, criticize, or attack because there is not enough protection.
easy to hurt, criticize, or attack because there is not enough protection.
After the leak, the minister was open to harsh criticism.
open to + criticism noun
A weak password leaves your bank account open to hackers.
leave + noun + open to + risk
Without helmets, the boys were open to serious head injury.
Once the wall fell, the town was open to attack from the north.
- vulnerable
the nearest everyday equivalent
- exposed
stresses lack of protection
- liable
more formal and common in set phrases such as 'liable to attack'
文法句型
be open to + danger noun
leave + noun + open to + noun
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'to' plus a risk noun such as 'attack', 'criticism', 'abuse', or 'injury'. Distinguish from sense 11, where the object after 'to' is something positively received or considered.