opening
gb/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/ us/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Beginning or first part
the start or first part of something
Usage pattern:
the opening of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not use opening to mean any open place. For a simple start, beginning is often safer.
Synonyms
beginning (general word for when something starts)
|
start (simple, common word for the first point or moment)
|
introduction (often the first explanatory part of a text or speech)
Antonyms
ending (the last part rather than the first part)
|
conclusion (the final part of a speech, text, or event)
|
close (the end or finish of an event)
Collocations
the opening of a film
|the opening of a meeting
|a strong opening
|a dramatic opening
|miss the opening
|from the opening
|the novel's opening
Themes
core_vocabulary
|time
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The opening of the film shows a quiet street at dawn.
- I missed the opening of the lecture because my train was late.
- The novel's opening is funny and surprising.
Learner examples
- I liked the opening of the movie.
- We missed the opening of the show.
- The opening of the story is exciting.
adjective
B1
property
2
First or initial
first, or at the beginning
Usage pattern:
opening [noun]
Common mistake:
Do not use opening to mean 'not closed': say an open door, not an opening door, unless the door is moving.
Synonyms
first (most general word for number one in order)
|
initial (slightly more formal; at the beginning)
Antonyms
closing (happening at the end)
|
final (last in a series)
Collocations
opening remarks
|opening speech
|opening chapter
|opening scene
|opening match
|opening question
|opening minutes
|opening weekend
Themes
core_vocabulary
|time
|communication
|sports
Examples
- The chair thanked everyone in her opening remarks.
- England scored in the opening minutes of the game.
- The opening chapter introduces the main character.
Learner examples
- She gave a short opening speech.
- I missed the opening song.
- The opening question was easy.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Hole or gap
a hole or space that lets things pass through
Usage pattern:
an opening in [something]
Common mistake:
Opening is a noun. Use open as an adjective: an open window, not an opening window, unless it is becoming open.
Synonyms
gap (a space between two things)
|
hole (a space or empty place in a surface)
|
aperture (more formal or technical word for an opening)
Antonyms
blockage (something that stops movement through a space)
|
barrier (something that prevents passage or access)
Collocations
small opening
|narrow opening
|opening in the wall
|opening in the fence
|through an opening
|cover an opening
|block an opening
Themes
core_vocabulary
|housing
|nature
|daily_life
Examples
- Light came through a small opening in the roof.
- The dog squeezed through an opening under the gate.
- Cover any openings where cold air can get in.
Learner examples
- There is an opening in the wall.
- The mouse ran through a small opening.
- He looked through the opening.
Noun
B1
abstract
4
Available chance or position
a job, time, or chance that is available
Usage pattern:
an opening for/in/on [something]
Common mistake:
Opening is countable in this sense: one opening, several openings.
Synonyms
opportunity (a chance to do something)
|
vacancy (an available job or position)
|
slot (an available time or place in a schedule)
Antonyms
filled position (a position that is no longer available)
|
no vacancy (a lack of any available spaces)
Collocations
job opening
|opening for a teacher
|opening in sales
|current openings
|available openings
|fill an opening
|an opening in the schedule
|wait for an opening
Themes
work
|business
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company has two openings for project managers.
- She waited for an opening in the conversation to ask her question.
- An opening came up in the afternoon schedule.
Learner examples
- I found a job opening online.
- We have one opening next week.
- He saw an opening and spoke.
Noun
B1
event
5
Public launch or first opening
the time or event when a new place first opens to the public
Usage pattern:
the opening of [place/event]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this with opening hours, which are the regular times a place is open.
Synonyms
launch (the start of a new product, service, or activity)
|
inauguration (formal word for an official opening)
|
premiere (first public showing of a film or performance)
Antonyms
closure (the end of a business, place, or event)
|
closing (an event or action that ends something)
Collocations
official opening
|grand opening
|store opening
|museum opening
|opening day
|opening event
|attend the opening
|delay the opening
Themes
business
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
|transportation
Examples
- The opening of the new library drew a large crowd.
- The restaurant's opening was delayed until June.
- The mayor attended the official opening of the bridge.
Learner examples
- The store opening is on Friday.
- We went to the museum opening.
- The opening was very busy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
opening
IPA
GB/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
US/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
open - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (open)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: opening
Noun
- Base: opening
- Plural: openings
Expressions
grand opening
1/ɡɹˈænd ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
fixed phrase
First official opening event
The first day a business or event is open to the public, often with celebration.
Examples
- The store's grand opening is this Saturday.
- They offered discounts during the grand opening.
grand opening
1/ɡɹˈænd ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Celebratory first opening
a celebration when a new place first opens
Examples
- The gym is offering free classes for its grand opening.
- Hundreds of people came to the store's grand opening.
- They planned a grand opening after months of construction.
opening act
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ ˈækt/
fixed phrase
Performer before main act
the performer who appears before the main performer
Examples
- A local band was the opening act for the tour.
- The opening act played for twenty minutes.
- Fans cheered when the opening act came on stage.
opening ceremony
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ sˈɛɹɪmˌoʊni/
fixed phrase
Formal starting event
a formal event at the start of something important
Examples
- The opening ceremony included music and fireworks.
- Athletes from every country marched in the opening ceremony.
- The conference begins with a short opening ceremony.
opening gambit
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ ɡˈæmbɪt/
idiom
first move in a strategy
The first thing you do or say to start and influence a situation.
Examples
- Her opening gambit was to offer free delivery for a month.
- As an opening gambit, he asked everyone to share one concern.
- Their opening gambit in the talks was a demand for a longer contract.
opening gambit
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ ɡˈæmbɪt/
idiom
formal
Strategic first move
a first move made to get an advantage
Examples
- His friendly joke was an opening gambit in a difficult negotiation.
- The low offer was clearly an opening gambit.
- As an opening gambit, she suggested a small trial project.
opening hours
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ ˈaʊɚz/
fixed phrase
Times a place is open
the times when a place is open
Examples
- The café's opening hours are posted on the door.
- Check the opening hours before you drive there.
- Holiday opening hours may be different.
opening night
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ nˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
First public performance night
the first night of a show or event
Examples
- The actors were nervous before opening night.
- Tickets for the musical's opening night sold out quickly.
- Critics praised the play on opening night.
opening statement
1/ˈoʊpənɪŋ stˈeɪtmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
First formal statement
a formal first statement that gives the main ideas
Examples
- The lawyer's opening statement lasted thirty minutes.
- In his opening statement, he explained the main argument.
- Each candidate gave a brief opening statement.