open mic

American  

[oh-puhn mahyk] / ˈoʊ pən ˈmaɪk /

Or open mike

noun

1. a live show in a club, bar, etc., in which anyone may perform but each performer is given a time limit (often used attributively).

   an open mic night for stand-up comedians.

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Etymology

Origin of open mic

First recorded in 1975–80; open ( def. ) (in sense “in operation, live”) + mic ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

open mic

Flynn first met her at his storytelling open mic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

By 2023, he "plucked up the courage" to go along to an open mic night event in Cardiff and read some of his poems.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

I also highlight some of my peers really deserved it, and including the open mic I went through called Project Blowed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

That flow ultimately earned him the name Slick Rick, bestowed by legendary hip-hop producer Doug E Fresh, who spotted him at an open mic night and invited him to join his Get Fresh Crew.

From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2026

“An open mic at Busboys and Poets...it’s a bookstore that’s really close to here, if you want to check it out.”

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi