open-ended
Americanadjective
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not having fixed limits; unrestricted; broad.
an open-ended discussion.
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allowing for future changes, revisions, or additions.
open-ended agreements.
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having no fixed answer.
an open-ended question.
adjective
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without definite limits, as of duration or amount
an open-ended contract
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denoting a question, esp one on a questionnaire, that cannot be answered "yes", "no", or "don't know"
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of open-ended
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.
Vocabulary lists containing open-ended
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Engineering - Introductory
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Engineering: Defining Problems and Designing Solutions - Introductory
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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.
Ask open-ended questions to learn about their experiences that led them to have these concerns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
The remedy, English said, would require Warsh to break his silence and say where he thinks things are headed, by signaling a modest adjustment was more likely than an open-ended hiking campaign.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
This brings the company’s total active, open-ended buyback capacity to roughly $118 billion, making it one of the largest in corporate history.
From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026
Closed-end funds offer advantages that can work well for investors over the long term since this fund type allows for more flexibility in portfolio management than a traditional open-ended mutual fund.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026
“Tell me about the game,” Celia says, hoping to get a response to an open-ended inquiry now that Tsukiko is more forthcoming.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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.
