Openness Meaning
/ˈoʊpənnəs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAccommodating attitude or opinion, as in receptivity to new ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, experiences, etc., different from the familiar, conventional, traditional, or one's own.
nounThe degree to which a person, group, organization, institution, or society exhibits this liberal attitude or opinion.
Sentence Examples
His openness is a very positive quality, although not without its drawbacks.
Open source is a philosophy that encourages openness, sharing, and modification.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ to different cultures made her enjoy living abroad.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ to new ideas made him a popular leader who encouraged creativity within the team.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English *opennesse, from Old English openness (“openness, publicity”), equivalent to open + -ness. Cognate with Old High German offannussi (“disclosure, revelation, openness”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Francis riled conservative cardinals with his compassion for migrants and refugees, openness towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and demands for action on the climate crisis."
— 2025 May 8, Angela Giuffrida and Harriet Sherwood, “White smoke from Sistine Chapel chimney signals election of new pope”, in The Guardian:
""Instead of openness, there was the cunning tactics of cover-up and a complete failure by General De Chastelain to deal with the vital numerics of decommissioning," said Ian Paisley, 79, the Protestant preacher who heads the Democratic Unionists, Northern Ireland's largest party."
— 2005 September 27, Brian Lavery, “I.R.A. Destroys What It Says Were the Last of Its Weapons”, in The New York Times:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ to different cultures made her enjoy living abroad.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ to new ideas made him a popular leader who encouraged creativity within the team.