opening
High (C1)Neutral (common across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
An empty space, gap, or hole; a beginning or initial part of something; the act of making something open or accessible.
A job vacancy; an opportunity or favourable circumstance; the formal start of an event or series of performances; the first move in a game or negotiation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun can refer to a physical gap, a temporal beginning, or a metaphorical opportunity. The gerund/participle form of the verb 'open' retains its verbal force in certain constructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In business contexts, 'opening' for a job is equally common in both. 'Opening night' (theatre) and 'opening day' (sports/shop) are standard in both, but phrasing like 'the opening of Parliament' is more UK-specific.
Connotations
Slightly more formal connotations in some UK contexts (e.g., 'official opening'). In US sports, 'opening day' is a major cultural event.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] + opening + [object] (He is opening the letter)[subject] + opening + [prepositional phrase] (A shop is opening on the high street)[subject] + opening + up + [to object] (She is opening up to her therapist)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “opening gambit”
- “opening the door to something”
- “open and shut case”
- “open the floodgates”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a new position available for hire or the launch of a new branch/store.
Academic
Used to denote the introductory section of a paper, lecture, or argument.
Everyday
Commonly refers to the time a shop/bank starts business or a hole/gap in an object.
Technical
In chess, the initial series of moves; in engineering, a designed aperture or orifice.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He is opening the post.
- The new cinema is opening next Friday.
- She was opening up about her past.
American English
- He is opening the mail.
- The new theater is opening next Friday.
- She was opening up about her past.
adverb
British English
- The door swung opening inwards.
- He ran opening into the field.
American English
- The door swung opening inward.
- He ran opening out into the field.
adjective
British English
- His opening remarks were very gracious.
- We missed the opening scene of the play.
- What was the opening bid?
American English
- His opening comments were very gracious.
- We missed the opening scene of the show.
- What was the opening offer?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is a small opening in the fence.
- The shop's opening hours are 9 to 5.
- He made an opening in the box.
- The opening of the new library is next week.
- I saw a job opening for a teacher online.
- The film had a very exciting opening.
- Her opening argument set the tone for the entire debate.
- The negotiator saw an opening and made a bold proposal.
- The chess player knew all the main opening variations.
- The scandal provided the opposition with a perfect opening to attack the government.
- The artist's latest work represents a radical opening towards new aesthetic forms.
- His lecture's opening was a masterful synthesis of the existing literature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a door OPENING at the BEGINNING of an event, creating an OPPORTUNITY to see inside.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPORTUNITIES ARE OPENINGS / BEGINNINGS ARE OPENINGS
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not always translate as 'открытие' (which primarily means 'discovery'). For a job opening, use 'вакансия'. For a gap/hole, use 'отверстие' or 'проём'. For a beginning, use 'начало'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'opening' as a countable noun for 'opportunity' without an article (e.g., 'It was opening to learn' -> 'It was an opening to learn').
- Confusing 'opening' (noun) with 'open' (adjective) in compound nouns (e.g., 'open hours' -> 'opening hours').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'opening' NOT typically refer to a beginning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is far more frequently used as a noun. The verb form is the present participle/gerund of 'open'.
They are synonyms. 'Opening' is slightly more common in American English, while both are used in British English.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'His mistake created an opening for his competitors.'
Commonly in phrases like 'With reference to the opening for a Marketing Manager...' or 'Thank you for attending the store opening.'
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