opening

/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/ · 3 syllables

Meaning

noun

1. an open or empty space in or between things
   “there was a small opening between the trees”
2. a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
3. becoming open or being made open
   “the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for”
4. the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
   “the opening received good critical reviews”
5. the act of opening something
   “the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door”
6. opportunity especially for employment or promotion
   “there is an opening in the sales department”
7. the initial part of the introduction
   “the opening established the basic theme”
8. a possible alternative
   “bankruptcy is always a possibility”
9. an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
   “the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart”
10. a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
    “they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door”
11. an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
12. a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
    “he memorized all the important chess openings”

adjective

1. first or beginning
   “the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth”

Synonyms for opening

• gap
• opening night
• curtain raising
• possibility
• possible action
• orifice
• porta
• hatchway
• scuttle
• chess opening
• first step
• initiative
• opening move
• beginning
• inaugural
• introductory
• starting

Antonyms of opening

• closing

Words that rhyme with opening

• reopening