Opener Meaning
/ˈəʊ.pən.ə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person who opens something.
nounA device that opens something; specifically a tin-opener/can-opener, or a bottle opener.
Sentence Examples
I sometimes use scissors as a can opener.
Tom handed Mary the letter opener.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He couldn't find the bottle ____ to remove the metal cap.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bottle ____ was missing from the kitchen drawer, so they used a coin to pry off the cap.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English oppinnare, opynnare, from Old English openere, equivalent to open + -er (suffix forming agent nouns).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Have you, like the opener of this debate, discovered, sapiently enough, that "the peace party, with Lord Aberdeen at their head, were the chief cause of the war"?"
— 1863, The British Controversialist: And Literary Magazine, page 122:
"The opener came from a Jarvis ball which struck Aleksandar Kolarov en route to a lively round of pinball between City players before it was poked in by Milijas."
— 2011 January 15, Saj Chowdhury, “Man City 4 - 3 Wolves”, in BBC:
"England were on the scoreboard after only one minute, Wilkinson, who missed five penalties in his side's opener against the Pumas, knocking over a three-pointer from bang in front, despite boos from the crowd."
— 2011 September 24, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania”, in BBC Sport:
"His debut was highly anticipated, but Rodgers only saw 94 seconds of game time as he suffered the significant injury in the Jets’ season opener against the Buffalo Bills when he was sacked by edge rusher Leonard Floyd, only four plays in."
— 2023 December 20, Sam Joseph, “Aaron Rodgers writes off this season as ‘lost year,’ but quarterback says he feels ‘I can play more years’ in NFL”, in CNN:
"The Rays debuted the opener—in which a reliever starts the game and throws anywhere from one to three innings, then gives way to a new pitcher, who will usually throw three to five as essentially a second starter—on May 19 against the Angels, using veteran righty Sergio Romo to pitch the first."
— 2018 August 23, Jon Tayler, “How the Tampa Bay Rays Reinvented the Concept of Starting Pitching”, in Sports Illustrated:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
He couldn't find the bottle ____ to remove the metal cap.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bottle ____ was missing from the kitchen drawer, so they used a coin to pry off the cap.