opening

SayOH-puh-ning/ˈoʊ.pə.nɪŋ/UK/ˈəʊ.pə.nɪŋ/OHP-ning/ˈəʉp.nɪŋ/

Noun pluralopenings

10 meanings of opening

Practice

1
kickoffadjective
Coming first or at the start of something.
Like the first page of a book that begins the story.
The opening scene set the tone for the whole movie.
Her opening remarks welcomed everyone to the conference.
UsagePut it before the thing: opening night, opening day.
2
starting upverb
Present participle of open, the form of the verb that ends in -ing.
She is opening her birthday presents right now.
He is opening the windows to let in fresh air.
UsageNo of after the verb: she is opening the door.
3
nouncountable
The first day or night that a play, show, exhibition, or new place is open to the public.
Like the first time a band plays a new song for a crowd.
The opening of the new play sold out within hours.
Critics attended the opening to review the cast.
UsageSay the opening of the new store, or opening night for a play.
4
gapnouncountable
A gap or hole that lets someone or something pass through.
Like a doorway in a wall that lets you pass from one room to another.
The dog squeezed through an opening in the fence.
We climbed out through a small opening in the wall.
UsageSay an opening in something: an opening in the wall.
Similargap, hole, aperture, crack
Note
5
nouncountable
The start or first part of something.
Like the first whistle that starts a game.
The opening of the trial drew a large crowd.
I missed the opening of the movie, so I was confused.
6
nouncountable or uncountable
The act of making something open, or of it becoming open.
Like a flower slowly spreading its petals wide.
The opening of the door let in a cold draft.
The opening of the gate made a loud squeak.
Oppositeclosing
7
job vacancynouncountable
A job, place, or time that is free for someone to take.
Like an empty chair waiting for someone to sit in it.
The company posted an opening for a software engineer.
She applied for the opening in the marketing team.
UsageSay an opening for a nurse, or an opening in a team.
8
nouncountable
A chance to do well, often in a game or contest.
Like a small gap a player slips through to score.
The striker saw an opening and shot at goal.
She waited for an opening in the conversation to make her point.
UsageSay see an opening or look for an opening.
Similaropportunity, chance, window
Note

Less common meanings

9
chessnouncountable
The first few moves at the start of a game.
Like the first few steps of a dance that set up everything after.
He studied a clever opening before the chess tournament.
She learned a new chess opening from her coach.
Oppositeendgame
Note
10
noun
In math, a way of changing a shape by shrinking it and then growing it back.

opening is a form of open

open, verb: To move something such as a door, lid or box so that it is not shut any more. Full entry

Forms: openopens he/she/itopening -ing formopened past tense, past participle
Spelling: open → opening: add -ing

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of opening apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2

This comes from an Old English form of the verb meaning "to open." Today it is open plus -ing.

Meanings 3–9

This comes from the Old English word openung, meaning "an opening," made from open plus -ing.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The noun opening comes from Old English openung. en.wiktionary.org
Old English openung means “an opening.” en.wiktionary.org
The formation corresponds to open plus -ing. en.wiktionary.org