opening
adjective
1. first or beginning
- the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth
- the play's opening scene
Similar word(s): beginning, first, inaugural, initiative, initiatory, maiden, introductory, starting
noun
1. an open or empty space in or between things
- there was a small opening between the trees
Similar word(s): gap
Definition categories: object, space
2. a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
Definition categories: event, ceremonial, ceremony, observance
3. becoming open or being made open
- the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for
Definition categories: act
4. the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
- the opening received good critical reviews
Definition categories: event, start
5. the act of opening something
- the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door
Definition categories: act, motility, motion, move, movement
6. opportunity especially for employment or promotion
- there is an opening in the sales department
Definition categories: state, chance, opportunity
7. the initial part of the introduction
- the opening established the basic theme
Definition categories: communication, introduction
8. a possible alternative
Similar word(s): possibility
Definition categories: thought, alternative, choice, option
9. an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
Similar word(s): orifice, porta
Definition categories: body, passage, passageway
10. a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
- they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door
Definition categories: man–made, artefact, artifact
11. an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
Similar word(s): hatchway, scuttle
Definition categories: man–made, entrance, entranceway, entree, entry, entryway
12. a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
- he memorized all the important chess openings
Definition categories: act, sequence, succession
13. the first of a series of actions
Similar word(s): initiative
Definition categories: act, beginning, commencement, start
Sentences with opening as a noun:
- The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.
- He remembered fondly the Christmas morning opening of presents.
- A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.
- He slipped through an opening in the crowd.
- There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.
- Their opening of the concert with Brass in Pocket always fires up the crowd.
- They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening, but hoped that word would spread.
- John spends two hours a day studying openings, and another two hours studying endgames.
- Are there likely to be any openings on the Supreme Court in the next four years?
- If you'd like to make a booking with us, we have an opening at twelve o'clock.
- The only two-hour openings for the hockey rink are between 1AM and 5AM.
- We have an opening in our marketing department.
verb
1. present participle of open