9 ADJ If you are open to suggestions or ideas, you are ready and willing to consider or accept them. □ [+ to ] They are open to suggestions on how working conditions might be improved.
10 ADJ If you say that a system, person, or idea is open to something such as abuse or criticism, you mean they might receive abuse or criticism because of their qualities, effects, or actions. □ [+ to ] The system, though well-meaning, is open to abuse.
11 ADJ If you say that a fact or question is open to debate, interpretation, or discussion, you mean that people are uncertain whether it is true, what it means, or what the answer is. □ It is an open question how long that commitment can last.
12 VERB If people open something such as a blocked road or a border, or if it opens , people can then pass along it or through it. □ [V n] The rebels have opened the road from Monrovia to the Ivory Coast. □ [V ] The solid rank of police officers lining the courtroom opened to let them pass. ● ADJ Open is also an adjective. □ We were part of an entire regiment that had nothing else to do but to keep that highway open. ● PHRASAL VERB Open up means the same as open . □ [V P n] Can we get the fencing removed and open up the road again? □ [V P ] When the Berlin Wall came down it wasn't just the roads that opened up but the waterways too. [Also V n P ]
13 VERB If a place opens into another, larger place, you can move from one directly into the other. □ [V + into/onto/to ] The corridor opened into a low smoky room. ● PHRASAL VERB Open out means the same as open . □ [V P + into/onto/to ] …narrow streets opening out into charming squares.
14 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An open area is a large area that does not have many buildings or trees in it. □ Officers will also continue their search of nearby open ground.
15 ADJ [ADJ n] An open structure or object is not covered or enclosed. □ Don't leave a child alone in a room with an open fire. □ …open sandwiches.
16 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An open wound is one from which a liquid such as blood is coming.
17 VERB If you open your shirt or coat, you undo the buttons or pull down the zip. □ [V n] I opened my coat and let him see the belt. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Open is also an adjective. □ The top can be worn buttoned up or open over a T-shirt.
18 VERB When a shop, office, or public building opens or is opened , its doors are unlocked and the public can go in. □ [V ] Banks closed on Friday afternoon and did not open again until Monday morning. □ [V n] …a gang of three who'd apparently been lying in wait for him to open the shop. □ [V -ing] …opening and closing times. ● ADJ Open is also an adjective. □ His shop is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
19 VERB When a public building, factory, or company opens or when someone opens it, it starts operating for the first time. □ [V ] The original station opened in 1754. □ [V + to ] The complex opens to the public tomorrow. □ [V n] They are planning to open a factory in Eastern Europe. ● ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Open is also an adjective. □ …any operating subsidy required to keep the pits open. ● open|ing (openings ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] □ He was there, though, for the official opening.
20 VERB If something such as a meeting or series of talks opens , or if someone opens it, it begins. □ [V ] …an emergency session of the Russian Parliament due to open later this morning. □ [V n] They are now ready to open negotiations. ● open|ing N‑SING □ …a communique issued at the opening of the talks.
21 VERB If an event such as a meeting or discussion opens with a particular activity or if a particular activity opens an event, that activity is the first thing that happens or is dealt with. You can also say that someone such as a speaker or singer opens by doing a particular thing. □ [V + with ] The service opened with a hymn. □ [V + by ] I opened by saying, 'Honey, you look sensational.'. □ [V n + with ] Pollard opened the conversation with some small talk. [Also V n + by ]
22 VERB On the stock exchange, the price at which currencies, shares, or commodities open is their value at the start of that day's trading. [BUSINESS ] □ [V prep/adv] The stock had opened at $71. □ [V adj] The dollar opened almost unchanged.
23 VERB When a film, play, or other public event opens , it begins to be shown, be performed, or take place for a limited period of time. □ [V ] A photographic exhibition opens at the Royal College of Art on Wednesday. ● open|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] He is due to attend the opening of the Asian Games on Saturday.
24 VERB If you open an account with a bank or a commercial organization, you begin to use their services. □ [V n] He tried to open an account at the branch of his bank nearest to his workplace.
25 ADJ If an opportunity or choice is open to you, you are able to do a particular thing if you choose to. □ [+ to ] There are a wide range of career opportunities open to young people.
26 VERB To open opportunities or possibilities means the same as to open them up . □ [V n] The chief of naval operations wants to open opportunities for women in the Navy. □ [V ] A series of fortunate opportunities opened to him.
27 ADJ You can use open to describe something that anyone is allowed to take part in or accept. □ A recent open meeting of College members revealed widespread dissatisfaction. □ A portfolio approach would keep entry into the managerial profession open and flexible. □ …an open invitation.