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Synonyms

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.


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 )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of opener

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

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.

At one point, Rizzo had three tickets in his online cart for the U.S. opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Some of the highest ticket prices, for example, for games are for the opener in Mexico City, not the quarterfinals that are going to be held in Boston.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Experienced opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge is available for the next T20 at Bristol on Saturday, having been on maternity leave, and she will likely replace Capsey at the top of the order.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Rybakina was able to see out the opener but Starodubtseva won nine of the next 10 games to level the match and go 3-0 up in the decider.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

“Let’s go look in the trunk of Red’s car. If there is a letter opener in there, I’ll believe her story. If not, you can call the police.”

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine

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