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Open vs. Opened — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Open" functions as an adjective or verb referring to a state or action of being accessible or starting, while "opened" is the past tense of the verb "open," indicating something was previously closed.
Open vs. Opened — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Open and Opened

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Key Differences

As an adjective, "open" describes something that is currently accessible or unobstructed, whereas "opened" refers to the action that has already taken place, transitioning something from closed to accessible.
When used as a verb, "open" describes the act of making something accessible or starting an event, while "opened" specifically indicates this action was completed in the past.
"Open" can also imply a continuous state, suggesting ongoing accessibility or vulnerability, on the other hand, "opened" suggests a specific moment when the state was changed.
In technology, "open" might refer to software or systems that are accessible to users or developers, whereas "opened" could describe a file or application that was accessed at a specific time.
In a broader metaphorical sense, "open" can refer to being receptive to new ideas, whereas "opened" might be used to describe a period or moment when someone became receptive.
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Comparison Chart

Grammatical Role

Adjective or verb (present tense)
Verb (past tense)

Temporal Context

Current and ongoing
Specific past event

Usage in Sentences

"The store is open." "They open the gate."
"The store opened at 9 AM." "They opened the gate."

Implication

Accessibility, readiness, or lack of restriction
Completion of an action of opening

Common Contexts

Descriptions of state, instructions, or ongoing actions
Narratives or descriptions of past actions

Compare with Definitions

Open

Not closed or blocked off.
The door is open for guests.

Opened

To have removed restrictions from something.
The country opened its borders.

Open

Susceptible to attack or damage.
The fortress is open from the western side.

Opened

To have moved something so that it is no longer closed.
She opened the window for some fresh air.

Open

Available to enter or use.
The new restaurant is now open.

Opened

To have begun or initiated something.
The mayor opened the meeting with a brief speech.

Open

Not concealed. openly shown.
She was open about her feelings.

Opened

To have spread out or unfolded something.
The flower opened at dawn.

Open

Unsettled or not concluded.
The case remains open.

Opened

To have made something accessible or available.
They opened a new theater downtown.

Open

Allowing access, passage, or a view through an empty space; not closed or blocked
He climbed through the open window
The pass is kept open by snowploughs
She was put in a cubicle with the curtains left open

Opened

Affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed.

Open

Exposed to the air or to view; not covered
An open fire burned in the grate
He crossed the ocean in an open boat

Opened

Affording unobstructed passage or view
Open waters.
The open countryside.

Open

With the outer edges or sides drawn away from each other; unfolded or spread out
The trees had buds and a few open flowers

Opened

Having no protecting or concealing cover
An open wound.
An open sports car.

Open

(of a business, place of entertainment, etc.) admitting customers or visitors; available for business
Parts of the castle are open to the public
The shop stays open until 9 p.m

Opened

Completely obvious; blatant
Open disregard of the law.

Open

Freely available or accessible; unrestricted
The service is open to all students

Opened

Carried on in full view of others; not hidden or private
Open warfare.
Open family strife.

Open

Not concealing one's thoughts or feelings; frank and communicative
She behaved in an open and cheerful manner
I was quite open about my views

Opened

(Sports) Not defended or not closely defended by an opponent
An open goal.
An open receiver.

Open

(of a matter or decision) not finally settled; still admitting of debate
Students' choice of degree can be kept open until the second year

Opened

Not sealed or tied
An open envelope.

Open

(of a vowel) produced with a relatively wide opening of the mouth and the tongue kept low.

Opened

Spread out; unfolded
An open book.

Open

(of a string) allowed to vibrate along its whole length.

Opened

Having interspersed gaps, spaces, or intervals
Open ranks.
An open weave.

Open

(of an electric circuit) having a break in the conducting path.

Opened

Accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants
An open competition.

Open

Move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision
‘Open up!’ he said
She opened the door and went in

Opened

Free from limitations, boundaries, or restrictions
Open registration.

Open

Unfold or be unfolded; spread out
The eagle opened its wings and circled up into the air
The tail looks like a fan when it is opened out fully
The flowers only open during bright weather

Opened

Enterable by registered voters regardless of political affiliation
An open primary.

Open

Make or become formally ready for customers, visitors, or business
She raised $731 by opening her home and selling coffee and tea
The shops didn't open until 10

Opened

(Computers) Of or relating to a file that can be accessed.

Open

Formally establish or begin (a new business, movement, or enterprise)
She began to teach and opened her own school
We opened up a branch in Madrid

Opened

Lacking effective regulation
An open town in which gambling predominated.

Open

Make available or more widely known
New technologies open up thousands of different opportunities
The move may force the company to open up its plans for the future

Opened

Not legally repressed
Open drug trafficking.

Open

Break the conducting path of (an electric circuit)
The switch opens the motor circuit

Opened

Susceptible; vulnerable
Open to interpretation.
An issue that is open to question.

Open

Outdoors or in the countryside
Guests were sitting in the open on the terrace

Opened

Willing to consider or deal with something
Open to suggestions.

Open

A championship or competition with no restrictions on who may compete
His victory in the 2003 Australian Open

Opened

Available; obtainable
The job is still open.

Open

An accidental break in the conducting path for an electric current.

Opened

Available for use
An open account.
The only course open to us.

Open

Affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed.

Opened

Ready to transact business
The store is open.

Open

Affording unobstructed passage or view
Open waters.
The open countryside.

Opened

Not engaged or filled
Has an open hour for emergency cases.

Open

Having no protecting or concealing cover
An open wound.
An open sports car.

Opened

Not yet decided; subject to further thought
An open question.

Open

Completely obvious; blatant
Open disregard of the law.

Opened

Characterized by lack of secrecy or reserve; candid
Please be open with me.

Open

Carried on in full view of others; not hidden or private
Open warfare.
Open family strife.

Opened

Simple past tense and past participle of open

Open

(Sports) Not defended or not closely defended by an opponent
An open goal.
An open receiver.

Opened

Having the covering skin pulled back; - used of mouth or eyes; as, his mouth slightly opened. Opposite of closed.

Open

Not sealed or tied
An open envelope.

Opened

Having the seal broken so as to reveal the contents; as, the letter was already opened.

Open

Spread out; unfolded
An open book.

Opened

Used of mouth or eyes;
Keep your eyes open
His mouth slightly opened

Open

Having interspersed gaps, spaces, or intervals
Open ranks.
An open weave.

Opened

Made open or clear;
The newly opened road

Open

Accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants
An open competition.

Opened

Not sealed or having been unsealed;
The letter was already open
The opened package lay on the table

Open

Free from limitations, boundaries, or restrictions
Open registration.

Open

Enterable by registered voters regardless of political affiliation
An open primary.

Open

(Computers) Of or relating to a file that can be accessed.

Open

Lacking effective regulation
An open town in which gambling predominated.

Open

Not legally repressed
Open drug trafficking.

Open

Susceptible; vulnerable
Open to interpretation.
An issue that is open to question.

Open

Willing to consider or deal with something
Open to suggestions.

Open

Available; obtainable
The job is still open.

Open

Available for use
An open account.
The only course open to us.

Open

Ready to transact business
The store is open.

Open

Not engaged or filled
Has an open hour for emergency cases.

Open

Not yet decided; subject to further thought
An open question.

Open

Characterized by lack of secrecy or reserve; candid
Please be open with me.

Open

Not closed.

Open

Able to be accessed (physically).

Open

Able to have something pass through or along it.
Turn left after the second open door.

Open

(of a body part) not covered, showing what is inside
It was as if his body had gone to sleep standing up and with his eyes open.

Open

Not physically drawn together, closed, folded or contracted; extended.
An open hand; an open flower

Open

(not comparable) Actively conducting or prepared to conduct business.
Banks are not open on bank holidays.

Open

(comparable) Receptive.
I am open to new ideas.

Open

(not comparable) Public
He published an open letter to the governor on a full page of the New York Times.

Open

(not comparable) With open access, of open science, or both.
Hopes for all aspects of the project being open rather than paywalled

Open

(not comparable) Candid, ingenuous, not subtle in character.
The man is an open book.

Open

Mild (of the weather); free from frost or snow.

Open

Having a free variable.

Open

Which is part of a predefined collection of subsets of X, that defines a topological space on X.

Open

Whose first and last vertices are different.

Open

In current use; mapped to part of memory.
I couldn't save my changes because another user had the same file open.

Open

To be in a position allowing fluid to flow.

Open

To be in a position preventing electricity from flowing.

Open

(business) Not fulfilled.
I've got open orders for as many containers of red durum as you can get me.

Open

Not settled or adjusted; not decided or determined; not closed or withdrawn from consideration.
An open question
To keep an offer or opportunity open
Your account will remain open until we receive final settlement.

Open

Of a note, played without pressing the string against the fingerboard.

Open

(wind instruments) Of a note, played without closing any finger-hole, key or valve.

Open

Not of a quality to prevent communication, as by closing waterways, blocking roads, etc.; hence, not frosty or inclement; mild; used of the weather or the climate.
An open winter

Open

Written or sent with the intention that it may made public or referred to at any trial, rather than by way of confidential private negotiation for a settlement.
You will observe that this is an open letter and we reserve the right to mention it to the judge should the matter come to trial.

Open

(phonetics) Uttered with a relatively wide opening of the articulating organs; said of vowels.

Open

(phonetics) Uttered, as a consonant, with the oral passage simply narrowed without closure.

Open

That ends in a vowel; not having a coda.

Open

Made public, usable with a free licence and without proprietary components.

Open

(medicine) Resulting from an incision, puncture or any other process by which the skin no longer protects an internal part of the body.

Open

Source code of a computer program that is not within the text of a macro being generated.

Open

(of a multi-word compound) Having component words separated by spaces, as opposed to being joined together or hyphenated; for example, time slot as opposed to timeslot or time-slot.

Open

(transitive) To make something accessible or allow for passage by moving from a shut position.
Turn the doorknob to open the door.

Open

(transitive) To make (an open space, etc.) by clearing away an obstacle or obstacles, in order to allow for passage, access, or visibility.
He opened a path through the undergrowth.

Open

To move to a position allowing fluid to flow.

Open

To move to a position preventing electricity from flowing.

Open

To turn on; to switch on.

Open

(transitive) To bring up, broach.
I don't want to open that subject.

Open

(transitive) To enter upon, begin.
To open a discussion
To open fire upon an enemy
To open trade, or correspondence
To open a case in court, or a meeting

Open

(transitive) To spread; to expand into an open or loose position.
To open a closed fist
To open matted cotton by separating the fibres
To open a map, book, or scroll

Open

(transitive) To make accessible to customers or clients.
I will open the shop an hour early tomorrow.

Open

(transitive) To start (a campaign).
Vermont will open elk hunting season next week.

Open

(intransitive) To become open.
The door opened all by itself.

Open

(intransitive) To begin conducting business.
The shop opens at 9:00.

Open

To begin a side's innings as one of the first two batsmen.

Open

To bet before any other player has in a particular betting round in a game of poker.
After the first two players fold, Julie opens for $5.

Open

To reveal one's hand.
Jeff opens his hand revealing a straight flush.

Open

To load into memory for viewing or editing.

Open

To make (a bed) ready for a patient by folding back the bedcovers.

Open

(obsolete) To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain.

Open

(with the) Open or unobstructed space; an exposed location.
I can't believe you left the lawnmower out in the open when you knew it was going to rain this afternoon!
Wary of hunters, the fleeing deer kept well out of the open, dodging instead from thicket to thicket.

Open

(with the) Public knowledge or scrutiny; full view.
We have got to bring this company's corrupt business practices into the open.

Open

(electronics) A defect in an electrical circuit preventing current from flowing.
The electrician found the open in the circuit after a few minutes of testing.

Open

A sports event in which anybody can compete.

Open

The act of something being opened, such as an e-mail message.

Open

Free of access; not shut up; not closed; affording unobstructed ingress or egress; not impeding or preventing passage; not locked up or covered over; - applied to passageways; as, an open door, window, road, etc.; also, to inclosed structures or objects; as, open houses, boxes, baskets, bottles, etc.; also, to means of communication or approach by water or land; as, an open harbor or roadstead.
Through the gate,Wide open and unguarded, Satan passed.
His ears are open unto their cry.

Open

Free to be used, enjoyed, visited, or the like; not private; public; unrestricted in use; as, an open library, museum, court, or other assembly; liable to the approach, trespass, or attack of any one; unprotected; exposed.
If Demetrius . . . have a matter against any man, the law is open and there are deputies.
The service that I truly did his life,Hath left me open to all injuries.

Open

Free or cleared of obstruction to progress or to view; accessible; as, an open tract; the open sea.

Open

Not drawn together, closed, or contracted; extended; expanded; as, an open hand; open arms; an open flower; an open prospect.
Each, with open arms, embraced her chosen knight.

Open

Without reserve or false pretense; sincere; characterized by sincerity; unfeigned; frank; also, generous; liberal; bounteous; - applied to personal appearance, or character, and to the expression of thought and feeling, etc.
With aspect open, shall erect his head.
The Moor is of a free and open nature.
The French are always open, familiar, and talkative.

Open

Not concealed or secret; not hidden or disguised; exposed to view or to knowledge; revealed; apparent; as, open schemes or plans; open shame or guilt; open source code.
His thefts are too open.
That I may find him, and with secret gazeOr open admiration him behold.

Open

Not of a quality to prevent communication, as by closing water ways, blocking roads, etc.; hence, not frosty or inclement; mild; - used of the weather or the climate; as, an open season; an open winter.

Open

Not settled or adjusted; not decided or determined; not closed or withdrawn from consideration; as, an open account; an open question; to keep an offer or opportunity open.

Open

Free; disengaged; unappropriated; as, to keep a day open for any purpose; to be open for an engagement.

Open

Uttered with a relatively wide opening of the articulating organs; - said of vowels; as, the än fär is open as compared with the ā in sāy.

Open

Not closed or stopped with the finger; - said of the string of an instrument, as of a violin, when it is allowed to vibrate throughout its whole length.

Open

Open or unobstructed space; clear land, without trees or obstructions; open ocean; open water.
Then we got into the open.

Open

To make or set open; to render free of access; to unclose; to unbar; to unlock; to remove any fastening or covering from; as, to open a door; to open a box; to open a room; to open a letter.
And all the windows of my heartI open to the day.

Open

To spread; to expand; as, to open the hand.

Open

To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain.
The king opened himself to some of his council, that he was sorry for the earl's death.
Unto thee have I opened my cause.
While he opened to us the Scriptures.

Open

To make known; to discover; also, to render available or accessible for settlements, trade, etc.
The English did adventure far for to open the North parts of America.

Open

To enter upon; to begin; as, to open a discussion; to open fire upon an enemy; to open trade, or correspondence; to open an investigation; to open a case in court, or a meeting.

Open

To loosen or make less compact; as, to open matted cotton by separating the fibers.
Poetry that had opened up so many delightful views into the character and condition of our "bold peasantry, their country's pride."

Open

To unclose; to form a hole, breach, or gap; to be unclosed; to be parted.
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

Open

To expand; to spread out; to be disclosed; as, the harbor opened to our view.

Open

To begin; to commence; as, the stock opened at par; the battery opened upon the enemy.

Open

To bark on scent or view of the game.

Open

A clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water;
Finally broke out of the forest into the open

Open

Where the air is unconfined;
He wanted to get outdoors a little
The concert was held in the open air
Camping in the open

Open

A tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play

Open

Information that has become public;
All the reports were out in the open
The facts had been brought to the surface

Open

Cause to open or to become open;
Mary opened the car door

Open

Start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning;
Open a business

Open

Become open;
The door opened

Open

Begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.;
He opened the meeting with a long speech

Open

Spread out or open from a closed or folded state;
Open the map
Spread your arms

Open

Make available;
This opens up new possibilities

Open

Become available;
An opportunity opened up

Open

Have an opening or passage or outlet;
The bedrooms open into the hall

Open

Make the opening move;
Kasparov opened with a standard opening

Open

Afford access to;
The door opens to the patio
The French doors give onto a terrace

Open

Display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer

Open

Affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed;
An open door
They left the door open

Open

Affording free passage or access;
Open drains
The road is open to traffic
Open ranks

Open

With no protection or shield;
The exposed northeast frontier
Open to the weather
An open wound

Open

Open to or in view of all;
An open protest
An open letter to the editor

Open

Used of mouth or eyes;
Keep your eyes open
His mouth slightly opened

Open

Not having been filled;
The job is still open

Open

Accessible to all;
Open season
An open economy

Open

Not defended or capable of being defended;
An open city
Open to attack

Open

(of textures) full of small openings or gaps;
An open texture
A loose weave

Open

Having no protecting cover or enclosure;
An open boat
An open fire
Open sports cars

Open

Opened out;
An open newspaper

Open

Of a set; containing points whose neighborhood consists of other points of the same set, or being the complement of an open set; of an interval; containing neither of its end points

Open

Not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought;
An open question
Our position on this bill is still undecided
Our lawsuit is still undetermined

Open

Not sealed or having been unsealed;
The letter was already open
The opened package lay on the table

Open

Without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition;
The clarity and resonance of an open tone
Her natural and open response

Open

Relatively empty of and unobstructed by fences or hedges or headlands or shoals;
In open country
The open countryside
Open waters
On the open seas

Open

Open and observable; not secret or hidden;
An overt lie
Overt hostility
Overt intelligence gathering

Open

Used of string or hole or pipe of instruments

Open

Not requiring union membership;
An open shop employs nonunion workers

Open

Possibly accepting or permitting;
A passage capable of misinterpretation
Open to interpretation
An issue open to question
The time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation

Open

Not secret;
Open plans
An open ballot

Open

Without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious;
Open disregard of the law
Open family strife
Open hostility
A blatant appeal to vanity
A blazing indiscretion

Open

Affording free passage or view;
A clear view
A clear path to victory

Open

Lax in enforcing laws;
An open town

Open

Openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness;
His candid eyes
An open and trusting nature
A heart-to-heart talk

Open

Sincere and free of reserve in expression;
Please be open with me

Open

Receptive to new ideas;
An open mind
Open to new ideas

Open

Ready for business;
The stores are open

Common Curiosities

Is "opened" only used to refer to physical actions?

No, "opened" can also refer to abstract actions, such as "opened a discussion" or "opened an account," which involve initiating something non-physical.

What are some examples of "open" being used in a technical context?

In computing, "open" may refer to open-source software, which means the software's source code is available for anyone to study, modify, and distribute.

What does it mean if a case is described as "open"?

It means the case is still active or unresolved, with ongoing investigations or discussions.

Can "opened" imply a temporary state?

Typically, "opened" describes an action that has changed the state from closed to open, but it does not inherently indicate whether the state is temporary or permanent.

When is "opened" typically used in past continuous tense?

It is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, such as "The store was being opened when I arrived."

How do "open" and "opened" differ in legal contexts?

"Open" might refer to an ongoing legal matter, while "opened" could refer to a legal action that started in the past, such as a case that was opened last year.

How does "opened" relate to cultural expressions?

"Opened" can be used to describe cultural events or spaces that have been made accessible to the public, such as museums or galleries.

How does the meaning of "open" change in the phrase "open to suggestions"?

Here, "open" describes a willingness or readiness to consider or receive new ideas.

What implication does "open" have in sports terminology?

In sports, "open" often describes a player who is not closely guarded and is free to receive a pass or take a shot.

Can "opened" have a negative connotation?

Sometimes, depending on context, as in "opened a can of worms," which means to inadvertently create a complex or problematic situation.

How can "opened" be used in a financial context?

"Opened" can be used to describe the initiation of financial opportunities or accounts, e.g., "He opened his first brokerage account."

What are the implications of an "open door policy"?

This policy implies that a manager or organization encourages an ongoing, transparent, and accessible communication channel where concerns or ideas can be freely discussed.

Is there a psychological implication to being "open"?

Yes, being "open" psychologically can imply being receptive to new experiences, ideas, or changes, which is considered a trait that enhances personal growth.

When can "open" be used in a competitive context?

"Open" can describe events or competitions that are available to all participants, without restrictions, such as an open tournament.

What does "open" signify in a relationship or interpersonal context?

It generally signifies honesty and transparency, where personal thoughts, feelings, or intentions are openly shared.

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Inclusiveness vs. Inclusion

Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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