Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition open in British English

open verb

verb
/ˈəʊpən/
1

to separate the edges of something, or to take off its cover so that you can see or remove what is inside

Example

She opened her shopping bag and took out an umbrella.

Example

Can you open this jam jar?

Example

Open your books at page 25.

Synonyms and related words
open up open try
1.1

if something such as a flower opens, it moves into its widest position and you can see its full shape

Example

Her parachute failed to open.

Synonyms and related words
bear bear fruit bloom
2

to move a door or window into a position that allows people or things to pass through

Example

Do you mind if I open a window?

Example

The school gates are opened at 8.45.

Synonyms and related words
open up open try
2.1

if something such as a door opens, it moves into a position that allows people or things to pass through

Example

The lift doors opened and two men walked out.

Example

The kitchen door opens onto a patio.

Synonyms and related words
open up open try
3

to move your arms or legs wide apart

Example

She opened her arms to hug me.

Synonyms and related words
reach out reach kick
3.1

to move your lips and teeth apart so that your mouth is not closed

Example

Open your mouth and let me look at your teeth.

Synonyms and related words
clear your throat dribble drool
3.2

to move your eyelids apart so that your eyes are not closed

Example

I opened my eyes and looked around me.

Synonyms and related words
adjust blink blink
3.3

to make your fingers straight so that your hand is not closed

Synonyms and related words
balance bear yourself bend
4

if a shop, public building etc opens at a particular time, or if someone opens it, it regularly becomes available for people to visit or use at that time

Example

The library doesn't open till 9.30.

Example

I'm calling to ask when you open today.

Synonyms and related words
account after hours asset
5

if a new business, building etc opens, or if someone opens it, it becomes available for people to use for the first time

Example

They decided to move to Spain and open a bar.

Example

The college first opened in the 1960s.

Synonyms and related words
bootstrap go into set up
5.1

if something that has been private or secret opens, or if someone opens it to people, it becomes available for people to visit, see, or take part in

Example

There are plans to open the gardens to the public.

Example

The telecommunications market has been opened up to competition.

Example

The farmer opens his gates to visitors during the lambing season.

Synonyms and related words
available public spare
5.2

if a film or play opens, it starts being shown to the public

Example

Her new play has just opened on Broadway.

Synonyms and related words
amuse appear compère
5.3

if a road, telephone line, or other method of communication opens, or if someone opens it, it becomes available for people to use

Example

We are opening a hotline for enquiries about the product.

Synonyms and related words
available public spare
5.4

if a famous person opens a shop or public building, they appear there to say that it is officially available for people to use or visit

Example

The Queen is opening the new gallery on Saturday.

Synonyms and related words
aftermarket buyer’s market call
6

to begin something such as a discussion or trial

Example

She opened the debate by summarizing her party's position.

Example

The police have opened an investigation into his business affairs.

Synonyms and related words
begin bring up continue
6.1

to begin a speech

Example

He opened his talk with a quotation from Shakespeare.

Synonyms and related words
begin bring up continue
6.2

to start an account with a bank

Example

You only need £1 to open an account with us.

Synonyms and related words
bank bank in borrow
6.3

when a period of time opens, it begins

Example

The year opened well for the company.

Example

The trout fishing season opened last week.

Synonyms and related words
start begin arise
Definition open in British English

Related Words

Words related to open:

an open book (phrase) be open to interpretation (phrase) burst open (phrase) cold open (noun) crack something open (phrase) an open mind (phrase) in open court (phrase) jam something (phrase) keep your ears open (phrase) keep your eyes (for) (phrase) your options open (phrase) lay someone open to something (phrase) on the open market (phrase) open (adjective) open (verb) open bar (noun) open day (noun) open door policy (noun) open doors (phrase) open fire (phrase) open house (noun) open invitation (noun) open doors (phrase) open kimono (adjective) open letter (noun) open market (noun) open mic (noun) open off (phrasal verb) open out (phrasal verb) open primary (noun) open prison (noun) open question (noun) open sandwich (noun) open season (noun) open secret (noun) open sesame (noun) open skies (adjective) open someone’s eyes to something (phrase) open someone’s mind to something (phrase) open source (noun) open system (noun) open the (phrase) open the floodgates (phrase) open ticket (noun) open to debate (phrase) open to dispute (phrase) open to doubt (phrase) open up (phrasal verb) open verdict (noun) open vowel (noun) open water (noun) open your eyes to something (phrase) open your heart (phrase) open your mouth (phrase) open-air (adjective) open-and-shut case (noun) open-ended (adjective) open-eyed (adjective) open-handed (adjective) open-heart surgery (noun) open-minded (adjective) open-mouthed (adjective, adverb) open-necked (adjective) open-plan (adjective) (out) in the open (phrase) something will not etc (phrase) something would not etc (phrase) steam open (phrasal verb) tear something open (phrase) the Open () the open (noun) the open air (noun) the open road (phrase) the Open University (noun) throw something open (phrase) someone with open arms (phrase) wide open (phrase) with your eyes (wide) open (phrase)