opening

CEFRB1

/ˈəʊ.pə.nɪŋ/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A space or hole that allows entry or passage.

  2. 02

    noun

    The beginning part of an event, speech, or activity.

Examples

  • I am counting on you to deliver the opening address.

  • We could see the stars through an opening in the roof.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈoʊ.pə.nɪŋ/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Of the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket.

  2. Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. present participle and gerund of open

More examples

In context

  • Would you mind opening the window?

  • The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.

  • The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

A small blank in the cave wall allowed fresh air to enter.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English openynge, openande, openand, from Old English openiende, from Proto-West Germanic *opanōndī, from Proto-Germanic *upanōndz, present participle of *upanōną (“to open”), equivalent to open + -ing. Cognate with West Frisian iepenjend, Dutch openend, German öffnend, Swedish öppnande, Icelandic opnandi.