open position
B2Formal, Professional, Business
Definition
Meaning
A job vacancy that is available for someone to apply to and fill.
Any unfilled, advertised role within an organisation requiring a candidate. Can also refer to an unoccupied role in a team, project, or company.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase functions as a compound noun, where 'open' denotes availability rather than a physical state. It is inherently count (e.g., 'three open positions'). It is professional jargon but widely understood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. Spelling may differ based on accompanying text (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center' in the job description).
Connotations
Neutral professional term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US business contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There is an open position for a [job title] in [department/company].The company has an open position in [location].She applied for the open position.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A seat at the table (related, but implies inclusion/authority)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The primary context. 'HR is working to fill all open positions by Q3.'
Academic
Used for faculty or staff roles. 'The university has an open position for a lecturer in economics.'
Everyday
Used when discussing job searches. 'I'm checking their website for any open positions.'
Technical
Used in IT/tech for specific roles. 'The DevOps team has an open position for a senior engineer.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They are looking to open a position for a sustainability officer.
- We cannot open any new positions this quarter.
American English
- They are looking to open a position for a sustainability officer.
- We can't open any new positions this quarter.
adverb
British English
- The role was advertised openly and the position was filled quickly. (Note: 'openly' modifies 'advertised', not 'position')
American English
- The role was advertised openly and the position was filled quickly. (Note: 'openly' modifies 'advertised', not 'position')
adjective
British English
- The open-position list is updated weekly on the intranet.
- She reviewed the open-position report.
American English
- The open-position list is updated weekly on the intranet.
- She reviewed the open-position report.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is an open position at the shop.
- She wants the open position.
- The company website shows all open positions.
- He applied for the open position in marketing.
- Despite the hiring freeze, they created an open position for a specialist role.
- The open position requires at least three years of experience.
- The board approved the budget to fill five critical open positions within R&D.
- Her transfer created a domino effect, leaving an open position in two different departments.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a door OPEN for a new person to come in and take a POSITION (job) inside the room (company).
Conceptual Metaphor
AVAILABILITY IS AN OPEN STATE (an open position is an unfilled space waiting to be occupied).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation 'открытая позиция' as primary meaning; it's a business calque. Use 'вакансия' (vacancy) or 'свободная должность'. 'Открытая позиция' in Russian more often means a disclosed stance/opinion or a trading position.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'free position' (incorrect). Forgetting the article: 'I applied for open position' (should be 'an open position'). Using 'opened position' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a direct synonym for 'open position' in a standard business context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most professional contexts they are interchangeable synonyms.
Yes, if the internship is a formal, advertised role that needs to be filled.
No, it requires an article. Correct: 'We have AN open position for a manager.'
A 'filled position' or a 'closed position' (if applications are no longer accepted).