opener
Americannoun
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a person or thing that opens.
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a device for opening sealed containers.
can opener.
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the first of several theatrical numbers, variety acts, sports events, etc..
a humorous monologue as an opener.
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Poker. openers, cards in a hand, as a pair of jacks or better, that according to a given standard are worth enough to enable the holder to make the first bet of a deal.
idioms
noun
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an instrument used to open sealed containers such as tins or bottles
a bottle opener
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a person who opens, esp the player who makes the first bid or play
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the first or opening section or episode in a series
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the first song, act, etc, in a variety show
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(plural) a start; beginning (esp in the phrase for openers )
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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Nouns
Etymology
Origin of opener
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
St. John Bosco, the preseason No. 1 team in The Times’ top 25 rankings, begins preparation for its Aug. 21 road opener in Las Vegas against Bishop Gorman.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
Seeing Harvey Elliott make a surging run on his first game back at the club, after his spell at Aston Villa, to assist Morrison for Liverpool's opener was another positive.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
The opener, “Rockin’ Shopping Center,” is an ode to sterile suburban hangouts and it’s loaded with early rock ’n’ roll touches—twangy guitars, a strong backbeat and a meaty bassline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Antonio Nusa's opener for Norway against Ivory Coast was perfection.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Phil clicked the car door opener, but I was too charged up to sit down just yet.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
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They are World War I letter openers, made from scrap wood or by blunting the edge of a military blade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
More aggressive openers than Izzy Gaze and Melie Kerr - the latter top-scored with 42 from 34 balls - may have taken advantage.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
The buzz: Both teams lost their openers, meaning neither can afford another setback.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
Both openers fell cheaply, though, with Jones caught at mid-off for two and Danni Wyatt-Hodge bowled for four.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
I ate lunch there, from a can on the shelf, opening it with one of the can openers Mr. Klein had sold for forty-nine cents.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.