openness
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of openness
First recorded before 900; open ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing openness
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.
Seeing the accumulation of other people’s innermost desires in the trees — and given that the wishes are uncovered — lends the work an openness and accessibility that can be therapeutic, Loyer said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
"Our international outlook is based on economic openness and macroeconomic stability," Sanchez said.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Sophie hopes for greater awareness from employers in the future, and openness to learn more about it.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
That would bring the U.S. position closer to that of Iran, which has agreed to dilute its stockpiles to low enrichment level and has expressed openness to transfer them to Russia.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
I faced Nergal, my face the perfect mask of openness and honesty.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
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.
