openness

B2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈoʊpənnəs/ See IPA manual

Freq #29731

Meanings

1

noun
without obstructions to passage or view

The openness of the prairies.
2

noun
Accommodating attitude or opinion, as in receptivity to new ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, experiences, etc., different from the familiar, conventional, traditional, or one's own.

Francis riled conservative cardinals with his compassion for migrants and refugees, openness towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and demands for action on the climate crisis.
3

noun
Lack of secrecy; candour, transparency.

"Instead of openness, there was the cunning tactics of cover-up and a complete failure by General De Chastelain to deal with the vital numerics of decommissioning," said Ian Paisley, 79, the Protestant preacher who heads the Democratic Unionists, Northern Ireland's largest party.
4

noun
willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas)

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · accommodating attitude or... approachability open-mindedness

4 noun · willingness or readiness to... receptiveness

Etymology

From Middle English *opennesse, from Old English openness (“openness, publicity”), equivalent to open + -ness. Cognate with Old High German offannussi (“disclosure, revelation, openness”).

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# openness

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈoʊpənnəs/
**Frequency rank:** 29731

## Meanings
1. without obstructions to passage or view
2. Accommodating attitude or opinion, as in receptivity to new ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, experiences, etc., different from the familiar, conventional, traditional, or one's own.
3. Lack of secrecy; candour, transparency.
4. willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas)

## Examples
- The openness of the prairies.
- Francis riled conservative cardinals with his compassion for migrants and refugees, openness towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and demands for action on the climate crisis.
- "Instead of openness, there was the cunning tactics of cover-up and a complete failure by General De Chastelain to deal with the vital numerics of decommissioning," said Ian Paisley, 79, the Protestant preacher who heads the Democratic Unionists, Northern Ireland's largest party.

## Etymology
From Middle English *opennesse, from Old English openness (“openness, publicity”), equivalent to open + -ness. Cognate with Old High German offannussi (“disclosure, revelation, openness”).

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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