openness

[ oh-puhn-nis ]

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.

Other Words From

• sem·i·o·pen·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of openness¹

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

Example Sentences

There’s also an energy that feels less rooted in tradition than in moving toward openness and experimentation.

From Los Angeles Times

"And certainly in the circles that I've been in... there is more acceptance and openness, and people are more comfortable expressing themselves in things outside the gender binary."

From BBC

Last November, he said the decision had "led to a reduction in the openness of the UK economy".

From BBC

“Relative to other social issues, child care is one where we may see more openness to more spending for the sake of making things easier for American families.”

From Los Angeles Times

"There certainly is less enthusiasm around pursuing what we might call an affirmative trade agenda in terms of liberalisation, openness, reduction of barriers," he said.

From BBC