OPENNESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does openness mean? 

• OPENNESS (noun)
  The noun OPENNESS has 3 senses:

1. without obstructions to passage or view

2. characterized by an attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes); without concealment; not secretive

3. willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas)

  Familiarity information: OPENNESS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPENNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without obstructions to passage or view

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

the openness of the prairies

Hypernyms ("openness" is a kind of...):

spacing; spatial arrangement (the property possessed by an array of things that have space between them)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "openness"):

patency (the openness (lack of obstruction) of a bodily passage or duct)

Derivation:

open (affording free passage or view)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by an attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes); without concealment; not secretive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

nakedness; openness

Hypernyms ("openness" is a kind of...):

sociability; sociableness (the relative tendency or disposition to be sociable or associate with one's fellows)

Antonym:

closeness (characterized by a lack of openness (especially about one's actions or purposes))

Derivation:

open (openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness)

open (open and observable; not secret or hidden)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

openness; receptiveness; receptivity

Context example:

their receptivity to the proposal

Hypernyms ("openness" is a kind of...):

willingness (cheerful compliance)

Derivation:

open (without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition)

open (ready or willing to receive favorably)

 Context examples 

Elinor, distressed by this charge of reserve in herself, which she was not at liberty to do away, knew not how, under such circumstances, to press for greater openness in Marianne.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

To come among us with professions of openness and simplicity; and such a league in secret to judge us all!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and Anne's astonishment increased.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

It seemed, rather, a frank and open countenance, which frankness or openness was enhanced by the fact that he was smooth-shaven.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in his countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again—just sending a line to Pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Thorpe's interest in the family, by his sister's approaching connection with one of its members, and his own views on another (circumstances of which he boasted with almost equal openness), seemed sufficient vouchers for his truth; and to these were added the absolute facts of the Allens being wealthy and childless, of Miss Morland's being under their care, and—as soon as his acquaintance allowed him to judge—of their treating her with parental kindness.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I should not have mentioned the subject, though very anxious to know her sentiments; but I had not been in the room five minutes before she began introducing it with all that openness of heart, and sweet peculiarity of manner, that spirit and ingenuousness which are so much a part of herself.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

There is an openness, a quickness, almost a bluntness in Mr. Weston, which every body likes in him, because there is so much good-humour with it—but that would not do to be copied.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

His want of spirits, of openness, and of consistency, were most usually attributed to his want of independence, and his better knowledge of Mrs. Ferrars's disposition and designs.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)