open-minded

American  

[oh-puhn-mahyn-did] / ˈoʊ pənˈmaɪn dɪd /

adjective

1. having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments.

2. unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial.

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open-minded British  

adjective

1. having a mind receptive to new ideas, arguments, etc; unprejudiced

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Other Word Forms

• open-mindedly adverb
• open-mindedness noun

Etymology

Origin of open-minded

First recorded in 1820–30

Explanation

If you're open-minded, you're willing to consider new ideas. An open-minded voter doesn't always stick to his or her political party and instead considers the opinions of candidates from both parties. (Finding an open-minded voter is a bit like trying to find a unicorn. Good luck.) When you've got a serious dilemma — say your two best friends aren't speaking to each other — it's usually helpful to ask an open-minded person for advice. Open-minded people can consider a problem from both sides, without injecting their own opinions or biases, and can often point you in the right direction. Open-minded is first recorded in the 1820s, from the popular figurative meaning of open (think "openhearted").

Example Sentences

That’s understandable, but you need to let that go and be the most openhearted and, yes, open-minded friend you can be.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Halliday: It’s an interesting juxtaposition because Daisy in Toronto is free and liberated and happy, but in a way, she’s not as open-minded as she could be.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

However, Borthwick says he is open-minded as he plots his selection to face the Azzurri.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

In that context, I think it is normal and reasonable for open-minded people to be skeptical and curious about what’s actually in these other 3 million pages of documents.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

My friends and I were open-minded, or at least we would have said we were.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• approachable
• impartial
• observant
• tolerant