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.

---

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"

---

Other Word Forms

• open-endedness noun

Etymology

Origin of open-ended

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

Explanation

Something that's open-ended doesn't have a specific end date or time. You might buy an open-ended plane ticket to Rome if you're not sure when — or if — you'll want to come home. Things that are limitless, or that have no restrictions or restraints, can be called open-ended. An open-ended lease on a apartment doesn't end on a specific day, and an open-ended babysitting job would be somewhat casual, rather than a regular, reliable job. Open-ended questions are complicated ones — they can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." The adjective open-ended has been in use since the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

Such walkouts frequently have a beginning and end date, but Local 99’s strike would be open-ended — which means school would be indefinitely closed by the three-union solidarity walkout.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Razi Marshall, a 19-year-old business student at the University of Southern California and a member of the Young Republicans, said the war could become a costly and open-ended intervention.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The work stoppage, if it happens, would be an open-ended strike that could last until an agreement is reached.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The company later blocked teens from accessing open-ended chats and settled the lawsuit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

In the summer of 2006, poll respondents filling out open-ended questionnaires were naming him as a presidential possibility, though Hillary Clinton was decidedly the number one pick.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• unlimited
• unrestricted