Opening: A Gap, a Beginning, and a Job
An opening is a gap, a first part, or a vacancy. Chess uses the word for the first phase, and job adverts for the post itself.
An opening is a gap you can pass through, the beginning of something, or a chance to act. Recruiters use it for a vacancy, chess players for the first moves of a game, and both share the idea of a space that has appeared and will not stay open forever.
- A gap or hole. *An opening in the fence.*
- A beginning. *The opening of the novel.*
- A vacancy. *An opening in the sales team.*
- A first ceremony. *The opening of the new wing.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | opening | A narrow opening. |
| Plural | openings | Several openings. |
| Verb | open | Open the box. |
| Adjective | opening | The opening scene. |
| Related | overture | A musical overture. |
How it is used in a sentence
- There is an opening in the hedge.Physical gap.
- We have an opening for a technician.Job vacancy.
- He plays the same opening every time.Chess.
Opening in different fields
- Chess — the first phase, before the middlegame
- Theatre — opening night, the first public performance
- Business — a vacancy, or a market opportunity
- Film — the opening weekend, which decides a film's fate
- Law — the opening statement, before the evidence
From *open*, Old English *openian*, plus *-ing*. The word is related to *up*, the underlying idea being something lifted or turned up to allow passage.
Opening or vacancy?
They mean the same in job adverts. Vacancy is more formal and is the usual British term; opening is common in American usage.
What is an opening statement in court?
A summary given by each side before the evidence, outlining what they expect to prove. It is not evidence itself.