opener

American  

[oh-puh-ner] / ˈoʊ pə nər /

noun

openers plural

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

Derived Forms

• self-opener
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• openers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of opener

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

Example Sentences

Opener Ben Duckett is assured of his place in the Test side, while 22-year-old Jacob Bethell has led England in T20s.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

Opener Zak Crawley is the most high-profile casualty.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Opener Brian Bennett scored a classy unbeaten 64 to guide Zimbabwe to 169-2 in their T20 World Cup clash against injury-hit Australia at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Pivotal, formerly known as Opener, publicly introduced the BlackFly in July 2018.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

He left College thoroughly convinced that the World was his Oyster and he had an Opener in every Pocket.

From Knocking the Neighbors by Ade, George

Related Words

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