[or more open; most open] 1 : not closed: such as a : not covering an opening
▪ an open gate/window ▪ The door suddenly swung/flew open. ▪ You left the blinds wide open.
b : having an opening that is not covered
▪ an open doorway ▪ an open box/container ▪ The meat was roasted over an open fire. ▪ I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open. ▪ Don't chew with your mouth open. ▪ open cuts/wounds [=cuts/wounds not covered by skin] ▪ staring with her eyes/mouth wide open 2 : not sealed or locked
▪ open bottles of wine ▪ There's already an open jar of pickles in the refrigerator. ▪ an open envelope ▪ Go on in. The house/door is open. [=it is not locked] 3 : allowing movement or travel : not blocked
▪ They kept the road open throughout the winter. ▪ an open passageway 4 : able to be entered and used by customers, visitors, etc.
▪ The new store is now open for business! ▪ The store is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. ▪ The library will not be open on Labor Day. ▪ The diner is open daily [=it is open every day] for breakfast. ▪ It's hard to find an open restaurant this time of night. ▪ We fought to keep the school open—but it closed anyway. 5 : having parts that are spread apart instead of folded together or attached
▪ an open umbrella ▪ Several of the pink roses are open this morning. ▪ The book was left open at/to page 42. ▪ Your zipper is open. ▪ His shirt was open [=was not buttoned] at the neck/collar. ▪ your open hands ▪ She ran toward me with her arms wide open. [=with her arms held away from her body so that she could embrace me] ▪ They'll welcome you with open arms. [=in a very kind and friendly way] 6 a : not containing or surrounded by walls, fences, buildings, etc.
▪ the wide open spaces of the American West ▪ fish caught in the open ocean [=an area of ocean that is far from land] ▪ He hung his clothes out to dry in the open air. [=outside] ▪ traveling on the open road [=on roads that are away from cities and towns] ▪ Miles and miles of open country [=land with few buildings] lie beyond the town.
b of a building or room : having few walls
▪ The house has an open floor plan. ▪ a bright, open kitchen 7 a : including or allowing a particular group of people — usually + to ▪ The contest is open to children between the ages of 8 and 13. ▪ The beach is open to residents only. ▪ The university library is also open to the public. ▪ The after-school program is open to anyone who needs extra academic help.
b : including or allowing all people
▪ a meeting that allowed for open debate on the issue ▪ The town soccer program will hold open registration [=a time when people can register to participate] from now until September 21. ▪ an open golf tournament [=a golf tournament for both amateur and professional players] 8 a : available to be used
▪ I haven't decided to take the job yet. I'm keeping my options open. ▪ He gave us an open invitation to come and visit. [=he said we could visit any time we wanted] ▪ Leaving your car running with the keys inside is an open invitation to thieves. — often + to ▪ It's the only course open to us. ▪ Few career paths were open to women then.
b of a job, position, etc. : not yet taken : available for someone to take or fill
▪ The job/position is still open. [=vacant] ▪ She's running for one of two open seats on the committee. 9 : happening or done in public so that people can participate or know what is being said or done
▪ The committee is holding open hearings on the issue. ▪ open sessions/meetings ▪ He testified in open court. [=in a court that anyone is allowed to attend] 10 : not hidden or secret
▪ He is now facing open [=undisguised, overt] hostility from members of his own political party. ▪ They're in open disagreement about what should be done next. ▪ She speaks of the government with open disdain. ▪ his open affection for his wife ▪ open warfare 11 : expressing thoughts and feelings in a direct and honest way
▪ Be open [=candid, frank] with each other about your feelings. ▪ She encourages open communication between family members. ▪ an open discussion about religion 12 : willing to listen to or accept different ideas or opinions
▪ a free and open society ▪ We have one of the best systems in the country, but we're always open to suggestions. ▪ I know it's different, but try to keep an open mind. ▪ She spoke to them with an open mind and an open heart. 13 a : not having ended : not yet finished or decided
▪ The case remains open to this day. [=it has not been solved] ▪ We can't talk about the case. It's still an open investigation. [=the police are still investigating the case] ▪ The mayoral race is still wide open. [=any of the candidates could still win]
b : allowing further comments or discussion
▪ It's still an open question whether or not you may go. ▪ The question is still open. ▪ “Should we set a date for the next meeting?” “No, let's leave it open for now.” ▪ The issue is not open for discussion. [=we will not discuss the issue] — see also open to debate at ¹debate 14 : able to be criticized, harmed, doubted, etc. — usually + to ▪ He lays/makes himself open [=subject, liable] to criticism with his foolish remarks. ▪ She argues that the current law is open to abuse [=the law can be abused] and should be changed. ▪ It's open to doubt whether she will run for governor. ▪ The author's exact meaning is open to question. [=no one knows exactly what the author means] 15 sports : not blocked or guarded by players from the other team
▪ She threw the ball to an open teammate. ▪ I'm open! Pass me the ball! 16 computers — used to describe a file, document, etc., that is being used ▪ You should close any open programs/documents before you reboot your computer. 17 — used to describe a microphone that is turned on ▪ He didn't realize that the microphone was open. ▪ Her comments were heard over an open microphone. 18 of fabric : having large openings or spaces between threads
▪ an open mesh/texture fabric ▪ an open weave wool sweater