opener

American  

[oh-puh-ner] / ˈoʊ pə nər /

noun

1. a person or thing that opens.

2. a device for opening sealed containers.

   can opener.

3. the first of several theatrical numbers, variety acts, sports events, etc..

   a humorous monologue as an opener.

4. Poker. openers, cards in a hand, as a pair of jacks or better, that according to a given standard are worth enough to enable the holder to make the first bet of a deal.

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idioms

1. for openers, as an initially stated reason or argument; at the outset; to begin with.

   Well, for openers, I don't have the money.

opener British  

/ ˈəʊpənə /

noun

1. an instrument used to open sealed containers such as tins or bottles

   a bottle opener

2. a person who opens, esp the player who makes the first bid or play

3. the first or opening section or episode in a series

4. the first song, act, etc, in a variety show

5. (plural) a start; beginning (esp in the phrase for openers )

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Other Word Forms

• self-opener
  noun

Etymology

Origin of opener

First recorded in 1540–50; open + -er ¹

Example Sentences

As he sings on “Come Back,” the album’s plaintive opener, “I had a really strange reaction, delayed I think by simple fear, if I don’t listen I can’t hear.”

From Salon • May 15, 2026

Notre Dame Sherman Oaks rallies for a 6-3 win over Anaheim Canyon in a Southern Section Division 1 softball playoff opener.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Sylmar 7, Marshall 0: Matthew Torres threw a complete game with six shutouts to lead the top-seeded Spartans in a Division I opener.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

In Goonies terms, that gate opener is so complicated that Chunk would still be waiting to get in.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

After all, the main question will be the opener: Hello, are you there?

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• birth
• creation
• dawn
• inauguration
• inception
• introduction
• onset
• opening
• outset
• starting point
• top