open-ended

American  

[oh-puhn-en-did] / ˈoʊ pənˈɛn dɪd /

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.

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open-ended British  

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"

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Other Word Forms

• open-endedness noun

Etymology

Origin of open-ended

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

Example Sentences

Johnson argued the current definition in the bill was too "open-ended".

From BBC

Character.ai said it had invested "tremendous effort and resources" in safety and was removing the ability for under 18s to have open-ended chats with characters.

From BBC

The open-ended sentences were originally issued to people considered dangerous, but whose offence did not merit a life sentence.

From BBC

Up to 31,000 registered nurses, nurse anesthetists, pharmacists, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and other specialty healthcare professionals are involved in the open-ended strike.

From Los Angeles Times

The facility was established under open-ended diplomatic agreements struck decades before the 1958 communist revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• unlimited
• unrestricted