openness

American  

[oh-puhn-nis] / ˈoʊ pən nɪs /

noun

1. the quality or state of being relatively free from obstruction or relatively unoccupied.

   The openness and the easy flow between the rooms make them appear larger.

   The vast openness of the desert stretched before us, broken only by cacti and spectacular rock formations.

2. the quality or state of being unrestricted or not able to be restricted.

   In this age of openness through satellite, cell phones, the internet, and social media, it may be possible to restrict or slow down the flow of information, but it is impossible to stop it.

3. the quality or state of being public or unconcealed.

   The foundation, a nonpartisan nonprofit, is dedicated to using the power of the internet to achieve greater government openness and transparency.

   Many variables can have an impact on comparative growth rates, such as the size and openness of a country's economy.

4. the quality or state of being accessible or available.

   Canada’s openness to immigrants and familiar Frenchness made it more attractive to Haitians escaping political instability.

5. the quality of being receptive to new ideas, opinions, or arguments; open-mindedness.

   This calls for active listeners who do not wish to have their expectations confirmed, but who bring with them a certain curiosity and openness to the world.

   While avoiding overtly controversial work, the awards committee has displayed an openness to unconventional or even critical art.

6. an unreserved, candid, or frank manner.

   I suspect, but cannot prove, that my ongoing openness regarding the exaggerations, misstatements, and mischaracterizations in the company’s promotional materials led to my being fired.

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Other Word Forms

• semiopenness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of openness

First recorded before 900; open ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

openness

American diplomats haven’t offered any fresh compromises, regional officials familiar with the matter said, while their Iranian counterparts have expressed openness to another meeting in Geneva, Doha, Qatar, or the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

The group claims the Home Office failed to exercise its powers with the openness required.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Even as the fighting intensifies, both sides have signaled openness to diplomacy.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

For his part, Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday cast China as a champion of AI openness and said, “We should oppose overstretching the concept of national security in the field of AI.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

They enjoyed him very much for his charm and high spirits as well as for his forthrightness and openness.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman