How to pronounce open
Say it like OH-pun. Open has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce open. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- pun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Open pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of open
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-pun.
What does open mean?
- affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed“an open door”“they left the door open”
- affording free passage or access“open drains”“the road is open to traffic”
- with no protection or shield“the exposed northeast frontier”“open to the weather”
- cause to open or to become open“Mary opened the car door”
- start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning“open a business”
- become open“The door opened”
- a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water“finally broke out of the forest into the open”
- where the air is unconfined“he wanted to get outdoors a little”“the concert was held in the open air”
- a tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play
Where does open come from?
Noun from Middle English open (“an aperture or opening”), from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying open
How do you pronounce open?
Say OH-pun. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊpən/. In British English it is /ˈəʊpən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in open?
Open has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · pun.
Is open pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈəʊpən/ (OH-pun).