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opening

/ˈoʊ.pə.nɪŋ/noun, adjective3 syllables

Opening means: first or beginning.

Synonyms for opening20

noun, as in the first of a series of actions

first step, initiative, opening move

noun, as in the first performance (as of a theatrical production)

opening night, curtain raising

noun, as in a possible alternative

possibility, possible action

noun, as in an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity

orifice, porta

noun, as in an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

hatchway, scuttle

noun, as in an open or empty space in or between things

noun, as in a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess

chess opening

adjective, as in first or beginning

Opposites of opening

What does opening mean?14

adjective

1

first or beginning“the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth”

noun

1

the first of a series of actions

2

the first performance (as of a theatrical production)“the opening received good critical reviews”

3

a possible alternative“bankruptcy is always a possibility”

4

an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity“the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart”

5

an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

6

an open or empty space in or between things“there was a small opening between the trees”

7

a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess“he memorized all the important chess openings”

8

a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise

9

becoming open or being made open“the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for”

10

the act of opening something“the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door”

11

opportunity especially for employment or promotion“there is an opening in the sales department”

12

the initial part of the introduction“the opening established the basic theme”

13

a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made“they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with opening?1

four syllables

Show 8 near rhymes
focusingfocusesbonusesopeningshomecomingvocalisttotalingtotalling

Opening in a sentence

  • I think there's a job opening up at our company, if you're interested.CK
  • After opening, please eat as soon as possible.jea310
  • After opening its cage, my parakeet flew away.Missy_Hissy
  • There are three phases in chess: the opening, the middle game and the final.carlosalberto
  • Security isn't achieved by erecting barriers, but by opening gates.shekitten
  • In the opening, move only those pawns that help develop the pieces.carlosalberto
  • During the opening, many people asked for information.vxern
  • The door jambs prevent you from opening it outward, into the hallway.Auride

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of opening

as a noun

plural
openings