How to pronounce openness
Say it like OH-pun-nus. Openness has three 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 openness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- pun
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Openness 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.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of openness
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-pun-nus.
What does openness mean?
- Accommodating attitude or opinion, as in receptivity to new ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, experiences, etc., different from the familiar, conventional, traditional, or one's own.
- The degree to which a person, group, organization, institution, or society exhibits this liberal attitude or opinion.
- Lack of secrecy; candour, transparency.
Where does openness come from?
From Middle English *opennesse, from Old English openness (“openness, publicity”), equivalent to open + -ness.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying openness
How do you pronounce openness?
Say OH-pun-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊpənnəs/. In British English it is /ˈəʊpənnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in openness?
Openness has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · pun · nus.
Is openness 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 /ˈəʊpənnəs/ (OH-pun-nus).