opener

American  

[oh-puh-ner] / ˈoʊ pə nər /

noun

1. a person or thing that opens.

2. a device for opening 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

There is no escaping the fact England's record in Brisbane, historically the host of the series opener, is dire.

From BBC

Former England opener Boycott insisted Stokes's men could win at Brisbane's Gabba ground with a more measured approach.

From Barron's

Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool, the opener in their 2-0 win at West Ham United.

From BBC

The teams have identical 10-2 records, and the Hurricanes beat the Irish in the season opener, which would seem to settle the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

England won, but the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score above 50.

From BBC

Related Words

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