open-ended

[ oh-puhn-en-did ]

adjective

1. not having fixed limits; unrestricted; broad:

   an open-ended discussion.

2. allowing for future changes, revisions, or additions:

   open-ended agreements.

3. having no fixed answer:

   an open-ended question.

open-ended

adjective

1. without definite limits, as of duration or amount

   an open-ended contract

2. denoting a question, esp one on a questionnaire, that cannot be answered "yes", "no", or "don't know"

Other Words From

• open-ended·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of open-ended¹

First recorded in 1815–25; open + end ¹ + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Major General Jean Kahwaji of the Lebanese armed forces recently declared an “open-ended war” with the militants.

From The Daily Beast

But the option of replacing a new diplomatic breakthrough with open-ended diplomatic muddle-through is not on the table.

From The Daily Beast

After any number of open-ended interviews are conducted, a suspect may emerge.

From The Daily Beast

However, even they are now beginning to worry about the long-term effects if these open-ended protests continue.

From The Daily Beast

After several broken agreements, the open-ended ceasefire agreed to on August 26 has held.

From The Daily Beast

This is built of open-ended sections jointed so that they may pass round the terminal rollers.

From Project Gutenberg

The cooks worked in an open-ended extension at the rear of the great room.

From Project Gutenberg

That is, they are open-ended connections in status nascendi.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• unlimited
• unrestricted