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Synonyms

opener

American  
[oh-puh-ner] / ˈoʊ pə nər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that opens.

  2. a device for opening sealed containers.

    can opener.

  3. the first of several theatrical numbers, variety acts, sports events, etc..

    a humorous monologue as an opener.

  4. 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

  1. for openers, as an initially stated reason or argument; at the outset; to begin with.

    Well, for openers, I don't have the money.
opener British  
/ ˈəʊpənə /

noun

  1. an instrument used to open sealed containers such as tins or bottles

    a bottle opener

  2. a person who opens, esp the player who makes the first bid or play

  3. the first or opening section or episode in a series

  4. the first song, act, etc, in a variety show

  5. (plural) a start; beginning (esp in the phrase for openers )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of opener

First recorded in 1540–50; open + -er 1

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.

Opener Phil Salt said on Friday "nobody can live with" England when "we are at our best" but they remain a long way from it.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Opener Phil Salt perished off the first ball from Sher Malla, top-edging the spinner to short fine leg.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

Pivotal, formerly known as Opener, publicly introduced the BlackFly in July 2018.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Opener Phil Salt, the world's second-ranked T20I batter, struck a fluent 46 off 35 balls to help England take a 1-0 lead in the three match series, a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

My son up in Lansing is editor of the Lansing Eye Opener, and has been editor for several years.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume X, Missouri Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration

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.