Dictionary entry details
• OPENING (noun)
Meaning:
An open or empty space in or between things
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)
Synonyms:
opening; gap
Context examples:
there was a small opening between the trees / the explosion made a gap in the wall
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
space (an empty area (usually bounded in some way between things))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
rent; rip; snag; split; tear (an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart)
rift (a gap between cloud masses)
mouth (an opening that resembles a mouth (as of a cave or a gorge))
hole (an opening into or through something)
cleft; crack; crevice; fissure; scissure (a long narrow opening)
chasm (a deep opening in the earth's surface)
breach (an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification))
foramen; hiatus (a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure)
nodes of Ranvier; Ranvier's nodes (small gaps in the myelin sheath of medullated axons)
diastema (a gap or vacant space between two teeth)
pocket (an opening at the corner or on the side of a billiard table into which billiard balls are struck)
window (an opening that resembles a window in appearance or function)
Holonyms ("opening" is a part of...):
Earth's surface; surface (the outermost level of the land or sea)
Meaning:
A ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
ceremonial; ceremonial occasion; ceremony; observance (a formal event performed on a special occasion)
Meaning:
Becoming open or being made open
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Context example:
the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
change of integrity (the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
cut; cutting (the act of penetrating or opening open with a sharp edge)
Meaning:
The first performance (as of a theatrical production)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
curtain raising; opening night; opening
Context example:
the opening received good critical reviews
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
start (the beginning of anything)
Meaning:
The act of opening something
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Context example:
the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
motility; motion; move; movement (a change of position that does not entail a change of location)
Antonym:
closing (the act of closing something)
Meaning:
Opportunity especially for employment or promotion
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Context example:
there is an opening in the sales department
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
chance; opportunity (a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances)
Meaning:
The initial part of the introduction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Context example:
the opening established the basic theme
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
introduction (the first section of a communication)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
salutation (word of greeting used to begin a letter)
teaser (an attention-getting opening presented at the start of a television show)
Meaning:
A possible alternative
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
possible action; possibility; opening
Context example:
bankruptcy is always a possibility
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
alternative; choice; option (one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
possible (something that can be done)
Meaning:
An aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting body parts
Synonyms:
porta; orifice; opening
Context example:
the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
passage; passageway (a path or channel or duct through or along which something may pass)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
cardia (the opening into the stomach and that part of the stomach connected to the esophagus)
introitus (entrance or opening to a hollow organ or tube (especially the vaginal opening))
external orifice; urethral orifice (the orifice through which urine is discharged)
pylorus (a small circular opening between the stomach and the duodenum)
anus; arse; arsehole; asshole (excretory opening at the end of the alimentary canal)
fontanel; fontanelle; soft spot (any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus)
naris (any of the openings to the nasal cavities that allow air to flow through the cavities to the pharynx)
rima (a narrow elongated opening or fissure between two symmetrical parts)
fenestra (a small opening covered with membrane (especially one in the bone between the middle and inner ear))
cervix; cervix uteri; uterine cervix (necklike opening to the uterus)
vent (external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate)
blastopore (the opening into the archenteron)
aortic orifice (the orifice from the lower left chamber of the heart to the aorta)
stoma (a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to an internal organ))
porta hepatis (opening for major blood vessels to enter and leave the liver)
spiracle (a breathing orifice)
mouth (the externally visible part of the oral cavity on the face and the system of organs surrounding the opening)
os (a mouth or mouthlike opening)
Meaning:
A vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Context example:
they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
artefact; artifact (a man-made object taken as a whole)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
neck; neck opening (an opening in a garment for the neck of the wearer; a part of the garment near the wearer's neck)
pass-through (an opening that resembles a window between two rooms (especially a shelved opening between a kitchen and dining room that is used to pass dishes))
embrasure; port; porthole (an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through)
slit (a long narrow opening)
spout (an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain)
throat (an opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep)
grille; lattice; wicket (small opening (like a window in a door) through which business can be transacted)
window (a transparent opening in a vehicle that allow vision out of the sides or back; usually is capable of being opened)
window (an opening in the wall of a building (usually to admit light and air))
mouth (the opening of a jar or bottle)
fenestella; lunette (oval or circular opening; to allow light into a dome or vault)
interstice (small opening between things)
aperture (an man-made opening; usually small)
bell (the flared opening of a tubular device)
breech; rear of barrel; rear of tube (opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded)
exit; issue; outlet; way out (an opening that permits escape or release)
fly; fly front (an opening in a garment that is closed by a zipper or by buttons concealed under a fold of cloth)
crack; gap (a narrow opening)
gun muzzle; muzzle (the open circular discharging end of a gun)
hole (an opening deliberately made in or through something)
intake (an opening through which fluid is admitted to a tube or container)
Meaning:
An entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
hatchway; scuttle; opening
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
entrance; entranceway; entree; entry; entryway (something that provides access (to get in or get out))
Meronyms (parts of "opening"):
hatch (a movable barrier covering a hatchway)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
escape hatch (hatchway that provides a means of escape in an emergency)
Meaning:
A recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
chess opening; opening
Context example:
he memorized all the important chess openings
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
sequence; succession (the action of following in order)
Domain category:
chess; chess game (a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king)
Meaning:
The first of a series of actions
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
first step; opening move; initiative; opening
Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):
beginning; commencement; start (the act of starting something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):
curtain raiser (any preliminary activity)
first base (the initial stage in accomplishing something)
peace initiative (opening move in negotiating a peace treaty)
• OPENING (adjective)
Meaning:
First or beginning
Context examples:
the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth / the play's opening scene
Similar:
beginning; first (serving to begin)
first; inaugural; initiative; initiatory; maiden (serving to set in motion)
introductory (serving to open or begin)
starting (appropriate to the beginning or start of an event)
Antonym:
closing (final or ending)
