openings
openings — noun
1. empty parts or breaks in something that let people, air, light, or objects get t
empty parts or breaks in something that let people, air, light, or objects get through
Cold air came through the openings around the old window frame.
openings around [object] — gaps at the edge
Workers sealed the wall openings before the heavy rain arrived.
Sunlight reached the cellar through two small openings near the ceiling.
The fence has narrow openings that puppies can still squeeze through.
- closure
a closed part that blocks passage
文法句型
openings in + wall / roof / surface
openings around + frame / edge
through an opening
用法筆記
This sense usually describes a physical gap in a surface, wall, or barrier rather than the start of an event or process.
常見錯誤
2. formal events held to mark the public start of a new building, show, season, or
formal events held to mark the public start of a new building, show, season, or project
The museum held three openings before the public summer season began.
hold an opening — organize a formal public launch
City leaders spoke at the openings of the new libraries.
Television crews recorded the openings for the arts festival downtown.
Rain delayed the outdoor openings until guests moved inside.
- launch
broader and often used for products or campaigns
- inauguration
more formal and often used for offices or public institutions
- closing
an event marking the end rather than the start
文法句型
the opening of + building / season / festival
speak at an opening
grand opening
用法筆記
This sense is about the official event itself. Distinguish it from noun/7, which means the first performance of a show.
3. the earliest part of a book, speech, film, process, or other piece of work
the earliest part of a book, speech, film, process, or other piece of work
The book's openings explain how the village changed after the war.
the openings of a book — first pages or sections
The speech had friendly openings that calmed the nervous crowd.
Strong openings can make readers trust a report more quickly.
The film's quiet openings hide the storm that comes later.
- ending
the final part of a work or process
文法句型
the openings of + book / film / speech
strong openings
opening pages / lines / minutes
用法筆記
This sense focuses on the first section of something that unfolds over time, not on a ceremony or a physical gap.
4. planned early move patterns in chess or checkers that shape the rest of the game
planned early move patterns in chess or checkers that shape the rest of the game
Jude studies famous openings before every weekend chess tournament.
study openings — learn named early game plans
The coach taught two safe openings for players who panic early.
Different openings can lead to the same middle-game position.
Lukas tried aggressive openings, but his endgame remained weak.
- endgame
the final stage of a chess game
文法句型
study an opening
play an opening
aggressive / safe openings
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to strategy games. It refers to recognised early plans, not simply the first minutes of any activity.
常見錯誤
5. available places for workers or participants, or chances for someone to move for
available places for workers or participants, or chances for someone to move forward and do something useful
The hospital posted two nursing openings on its website yesterday.
openings for jobs — advertised vacant roles
After Mei resigned, the team suddenly had leadership openings.
The workshop gives young designers openings to meet local buyers.
Several openings appeared once the company expanded into Seoul.
- vacancy
more formal and strongly focused on employment
- opportunity
broader and not limited to jobs
- position
names the role itself rather than the available chance
- dead end
a situation with no useful next step
文法句型
an opening for + role
openings in + team / company / field
have an opening
用法筆記
Use this sense for jobs, places on a team, or chances that become available. Distinguish it from noun/1, which is about a physical space.
常見錯誤
6. the process or moment when something is opened or begins to stand open
the process or moment when something is opened or begins to stand open
The emergency openings of the floodgates saved the lower farms.
the opening of [thing] — the action of making it open
Repeated openings of the oven let too much heat escape.
Engineers tracked the valve openings during the pressure test.
The slow openings of the flowers followed the morning light.
- closing
the process of becoming shut
文法句型
the opening of + door / valve / flower
repeated openings
emergency openings
用法筆記
This sense names the action or process itself. It often appears in technical, natural, or mechanical descriptions.
7. the first public performance of a play, musical, dance work, film, or similar sh
the first public performance of a play, musical, dance work, film, or similar show
Crowds lined up early for the West End openings this month.
openings of shows — first public performances
Reviewers often judge openings before a show settles into rhythm.
Two openings were postponed when the lead actor became ill.
Noor bought tickets to both openings of the dance production.
- closing night
the final performance of a production
文法句型
the opening of + show / production
opening night
postpone an opening
用法筆記
This sense is about the first performance seen by an audience. Distinguish it from noun/2, which is a formal opening ceremony.
常見錯誤
openings — adjective
1. coming at the start of an event, meeting, text, or stretch of activity
coming at the start of an event, meeting, text, or stretch of activity
Opening scenes showed the family before the storm destroyed their home.
opening + noun — first part of a larger work
The opening meeting set clear rules for the summer project.
Reporters missed the opening minutes because airport traffic was severe.
The opening paragraph gives readers the case in plain language.
- closing
coming at the end
文法句型
opening scene / meeting / minutes / paragraph
the opening part of + event / text
用法筆記
Use this adjective before a noun when you mean the first part of something that has more to come.
2. describing the short performer or set that appears before the main show begins
describing the short performer or set that appears before the main show begins
The opening band warmed up the crowd before the singer arrived.
opening band — performer before the headliner
An opening comic tested short jokes during the first ten minutes.
The club booked two opening acts for the holiday concert.
Fans cheered the opening duo almost as loudly as the headliner.
- supporting
more general and not always limited to the first act
- warm-up
more informal and strongly focused on preparing the crowd
- headline
describes the main performer
文法句型
opening act / band / comic / duo
book an opening act
用法筆記
This sense belongs to concerts, comedy shows, and similar performances. It modifies the performer or act that comes first.
常見錯誤
3. coming before the main event and giving people an early idea of what the full ex
coming before the main event and giving people an early idea of what the full experience will be like
The opening survey showed which classes parents wanted most.
opening survey — early sample that guides later plans
These opening talks let students sample each teacher's style.
The opening sketches hinted at the darker scenes ahead.
An opening trial run revealed problems with the ticket scanners.
- introductory
more formal and often used for lessons or sections
- preliminary
focuses more on coming before the main stage
- final
describes the last stage rather than the first
文法句型
opening talk / survey / sketch / trial run
opening stage of + course / program
用法筆記
This sense emphasizes that the first item acts as a preview or sign of what will come next.