opener
Americannoun
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a person or thing that opens.
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a device for opening sealed containers.
can opener.
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the first of several theatrical numbers, variety acts, sports events, etc..
a humorous monologue as an opener.
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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
noun
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an instrument used to open sealed containers such as tins or bottles
a bottle opener
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a person who opens, esp the player who makes the first bid or play
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the first or opening section or episode in a series
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the first song, act, etc, in a variety show
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(plural) a start; beginning (esp in the phrase for openers )
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of opener
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.
See Examples For:
Lynch said the team anticipates Shanahan will be back well before the season opener Sept. 11 in Australia against the Rams.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Seeing Harvey Elliott make a surging run on his first game back at the club, after his spell at Aston Villa, to assist Morrison for Liverpool's opener was another positive.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
The opener, “Rockin’ Shopping Center,” is an ode to sterile suburban hangouts and it’s loaded with early rock ’n’ roll touches—twangy guitars, a strong backbeat and a meaty bassline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
By dropping the series finale after an 8-2 win in the opener, the Dodgers settled for a series win instead of sweep at Yankee Stadium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
“Hey, bro,” Zed yelled over the hum of the electric garage door opener and the growl of the lawn mower’s engine as I drove out, “wouldja lend me a coupla bucks?”
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
Spirit were in immediate trouble after being putting in to bat in their opening fixture, losing openers Grace Harris and Amy Jones for four and a golden duck.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
They are World War I letter openers, made from scrap wood or by blunting the edge of a military blade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
In response to Ireland's commendable efforts with the bat, Indian openers Sanju Samson and Sharma hit 16 off the opening over before Moondra removed Samson with his first delivery in international cricket.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
The buzz: With all four teams playing to draws in their openers, the group is wide open.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
He warned against potato peelers and tin openers; he viewed birthday candles as deadly weapons.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
