open-source

open-source — adjective

IPA/ˌəʊpən ˈsɔːs/
KK[ˈopənsˌɔrs]IPA/ˌəʊpən ˈsɔːrs/

1. describing software or digital material whose code or working files are open to

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing software or digital material whose code or working files are open to the public, so people can use it, share it, and change it under an open licence.

Example

Felipe chose an open-source map app for his cycling trip.

collocation: open-source map app

The school moved to open-source software to cut licence costs.

move to open-source software

Common collocations
  • open-source software
  • open-source project
  • open-source tool
  • open-source licence
  • open-source map app
  • open-source booking system
Synonyms
  • free-software

    close in software contexts; often stresses user freedom more strongly

  • publicly available

    broader; can describe many kinds of material, not specifically code rights

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

open-source software

open-source project

be open-source

Usage Note

Most often modifies software, tools, code, projects, and licences. Distinguish from freeware: freeware may cost nothing to use but still keep the code closed.

Common Mistakes

This app is free, so it must be open-source.
This app is free, but it is not always open-source.
free to use does not always mean the code is public or editable.

open-source — noun

IPA/ˈəʊ.pən ˌsɔːs/
KK[ˈopənsˌɔrs]IPA/ˌoʊ.pən ˈsɔːrs/

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Open-source usually means the code is available for people to inspect, share, and change under an open licence. Free software is close, but it often carries a stronger idea of user freedom and rights, not just practical access to the code. Freeware is different: it may cost nothing to download, yet the maker can still keep the code private and limit changes. Proprietary is the clearest opposite, because one company keeps legal control and normally does not let the public edit the code. In everyday tech talk, people sometimes mix open-source and freeware, but an open-source tool invites public improvement, while freeware mainly describes price.

open-source ↗free softwarefreeware ↗proprietary ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • release as open source
  • build on open source
  • open-source software

Prepositions

  • as open source
  • on open source

Etymology

English

A late twentieth-century English term built from open and source, first used in computing for software whose source code is available to the public. The phrase grew out of the older expression source code and later widened to cover projects, tools, and other digital material shared under similar rules.