opening

/ˈoʊ.pə.nɪŋ/
adjectivenoun

Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 3 meanings

  1. Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

    “The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.”

  2. Of the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket.

  3. Of the batsman who opens the innings or of a bowler who opens the attack.

Noun 4 meanings

  1. An act or instance of making or becoming open.

    “The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.”

  2. A gap permitting passage through.

    “A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.”

  3. An act or instance of beginning.

    “There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.”

  4. Something that is a beginning.

    “They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening, but hoped that word would spread.”

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English openynge, openande, openand, from Old English openiende, from Proto-West Germanic *opanōndī, from Proto-Germanic *upanōndz, present participle of *upanōną (“to open”), equivalent to open + -ing. Cognate with West Frisian iepenjend, Dutch openend, German öffnend, Swedish öppnande, Icelandic opnandi.

Similar and opposite words

Similar
holeavailabilityslotgapcreviceinterspace

OPENING at a glance

OPENING has 7 letters and scores 10 points in Scrabble (O 1 + P 3 + E 1 + N 1 + I 1 + N 1 + G 2) and 14 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,190 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.

Rhymes with opening

All rhymes

One letter away

Change one letter, keep the rest
  • OPINING10
  • OMENING10
  • OVENING11

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