open-ended

[ oh-puhn-en-did ]

adjective

1. not having fixed limits; unrestricted; broad:

   an open-ended discussion.

2. allowing for future changes, revisions, or additions:

   open-ended agreements.

3. having no fixed answer:

   an open-ended question.

open-ended

adjective

1. without definite limits, as of duration or amount

   an open-ended contract

2. denoting a question, esp one on a questionnaire, that cannot be answered "yes", "no", or "don't know"

Other Words From

• open-ended·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of open-ended¹

First recorded in 1815–25; open + end ¹ + -ed ³

Related Words

• unlimited
• unrestricted