opening
/ˈəʊpənɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈəʊpənɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈōp-niŋ, ˈō-pə-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈəʊ.pən.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈoʊp.nɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
opening — noun
- openingsingular
- openingsplural
1. a hole or open space in a wall, fence, roof, or similar surface that lets people
a hole or open space in a wall, fence, roof, or similar surface that lets people, animals, light, or air pass through.
A narrow opening in the fence led into Grandma Eva's garden.
opening in + barrier
Sunlight poured through a small opening above the barn door.
through + opening
The mouse slipped through an opening under the kitchen sink.
Fire crews cut an opening in the roof to release smoke.
- seal
something fully closed so nothing can pass through
文法句型
opening in + surface/barrier
through + opening
用法筆記
Common after the prepositions 'in' and 'through'. Unlike 'door' or 'window', this sense does not require a built frame or moving part.
常見錯誤
2. an event held to mark the official start of a new shop, building, exhibition, br
an event held to mark the official start of a new shop, building, exhibition, bridge, or similar project.
The museum's opening drew artists, reporters, and two former mayors.
possessive + opening for official event
School bands played outside the stadium before its grand opening.
collocation: grand opening
At the bridge opening, children waved flags from the riverbank.
The mayor cut a red ribbon during the library opening.
- inauguration
more formal; often used for major public projects or officials
- launch
common for products, campaigns, or businesses; less ceremonial
- ceremony
broader; does not itself mean the start of something new
- closing ceremony
the event marking the end rather than the start
文法句型
opening of + place/event
grand opening
用法筆記
Usually names a public event with guests or ceremonies. Distinguish from sense 3, which is simply the first part of something, and from sense 6, which is the act of physically opening or starting access.
常見錯誤
3. the first part of a book, speech, meeting, game, or period of time.
the first part of a book, speech, meeting, game, or period of time.
The novel's opening introduces three sisters in a stormy fishing town.
possessive + opening for text
The opening of the meeting included safety rules and attendance checks.
the opening of + event
The film's opening made the whole audience laugh within seconds.
The home team's poor opening left them ten points behind by halftime.
- beginning
the broadest everyday choice
- start
more conversational; often stresses the moment something begins
- outset
more formal and often used in fixed phrases
- introduction
only the part meant to lead into the main body
文法句型
the opening of + event/period
someone's opening + noun
用法筆記
Often singular and often followed by 'of' or a possessive noun. Distinguish from sense 2: if no official ceremony is meant, this is usually the right sense.
常見錯誤
4. the set of early moves a player chooses at the start of a chess game.
the set of early moves a player chooses at the start of a chess game.
Mei practised the Sicilian opening before Saturday's club tournament.
named opening: the Sicilian opening
Arun's opening left his king exposed after only six moves.
Our coach taught a simple opening against players who attack early.
In round five, Sara chose a quiet opening as White to avoid early attacks.
- endgame
the final stage of a chess game
文法句型
named opening
opening with + piece/color
用法筆記
This sense is specific to chess. It refers to a known plan or sequence of early moves, not just any general beginning.
5. a chance to get work or move ahead, especially an empty position that people can
a chance to get work or move ahead, especially an empty position that people can apply for.
The hospital has two openings for trainee nurses this summer.
openings for + role
This internship could be an opening into the fashion business.
opening into + field
After the merger, no openings remained in the sales office.
Teaching night classes gave Ravi an opening to earn extra money.
- vacancy
focuses on an empty job position
- opportunity
broader; not limited to employment
- chance
more informal and less job-specific
- foothold
suggests a first small step into a field
文法句型
openings for + job
opening to + infinitive
opening into + field
用法筆記
Often plural when talking about available jobs. This is also the only noun sense here that commonly takes a to-infinitive ('an opening to learn', 'an opening to advance').
常見錯誤
6. the moment or process in which something is opened or begins to open.
the moment or process in which something is opened or begins to open.
We heard a soft click at the opening of the old wooden box.
the opening of + object
The opening of the shop at nine brought a line of customers.
scheduled access: opening of the shop
A cold wind rushed in with the opening of the front gate.
Each morning, the children watched the flower's slow opening as its petals spread.
文法句型
the opening of + object/place
用法筆記
Usually follows 'the opening of'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about the action or process itself, not a public ceremony.
常見錯誤
opening — adjective
- openingpositive
- more openingcomparative
- most openingsuperlative
1. coming first in a speech, story, match, or other event.
coming first in a speech, story, match, or other event.
Teacher Lin's opening question made the whole class sit up straight.
opening + question
In his opening speech, the director thanked hospital staff.
opening + speech
The home team scored twice in the opening minutes.
The opening chapter takes place in a cold mountain town.
- initial
more formal and often used in technical contexts
- first
the simplest everyday choice
- introductory
stresses that it leads into later material
文法句型
opening + question/speech/chapter/minutes
用法筆記
Usually appears before nouns such as 'remarks', 'question', 'chapter', or 'minutes'. Distinguish from adjective sense 3: this sense only marks position at the start, not a preview of what follows.
常見錯誤
2. describing the performer or short show that appears before the main act at a con
describing the performer or short show that appears before the main act at a concert or similar event.
A local jazz trio was the opening act for the singer.
fixed collocation: opening act
We missed the opening band because highway traffic was awful.
opening + band
The comedian thanked the crowd after her opening set.
Posters announced two opening performers before the headline show.
- supporting
common for acts that perform before the headliner
- warm-up
more informal; can also describe the act's function
- headlining
describes the main act rather than the one before it
- main
the central performance of the event
文法句型
opening + act/band/set/performer
用法筆記
Restricted to entertainment contexts. It usually appears with words like 'act', 'band', 'set', or 'performer', not with meetings or books.
常見錯誤
3. coming first and showing what the rest of an event, course, product, or series m
coming first and showing what the rest of an event, course, product, or series may be like.
The opening workshop showed teachers what the full course would cover.
preview function: shows what follows
At the town hall, Mayor Chen's opening remarks hinted at a tougher debate ahead.
opening remarks as preview
The opening episode gave viewers a taste of the whole series.
The opening weekend showed how popular the new theme park would be.
- introductory
close in meaning, especially for classes, remarks, or texts
- trial
stronger focus on testing something before a larger use
- preview
often a noun, but it matches the idea of showing what is coming
文法句型
opening + workshop/remarks/episode/sale
用法筆記
Distinguish from adjective sense 1: both happen first, but this sense adds the idea that the first thing gives a sign of what comes later.