opener

[oh-puh-ner] /ˈoʊ pə nər/

noun

a person or thing that opens.

a device for opening sealed containers:

can opener.

the first of several theatrical numbers, variety acts, sports events, etc.:

a humorous monologue as an opener.

openers, Poker. cards in a hand, as a pair of jacks or better, that according to a given standard are worth enough to enable the holder to make the first bet of a deal.

Idioms

for openers, as an initially stated reason or argument; at the outset; to begin with:

Well, for openers, I don't have the money.

Origin

1540-50; open + -er¹

Related forms

self-opener, noun

Examples from the web for opener

The real eye-opener is a long-term series including older teenagers.
The offending first draft was something of an eye-opener.
Also the concept of using postpositions rather than prepositions was an eye-opener.
There's no reason for journalists to keep going back to the well for the same opener.
It was an eye-opener, with virtuoso dis-plays of color at every turn.
Yes please spend more and more money looking for a glorified can opener that has outlived its use.
Speaking of beer, there's a bottle opener on the strap.
There's even a beer bottle opener crafted into the bottom of the saddle.
And should you zoom during filming, you're treated to a grinding sound reminiscent of a faulty can-opener.
To open, a hole had to be punched in the top with the sharp end of a church-key style opener.

British Dictionary definitions for opener

opener

/ˈəʊpənə/

noun

an instrument used to open sealed containers such as tins or bottles: a bottle opener

a person who opens, esp the player who makes the first bid or play

the first or opening section or episode in a series

(US) the first song, act, etc, in a variety show

(pl) a start; beginning (esp in the phrase for openers)

Word Origin and History for opener

"one who opens," Old English openere, agent noun from open (v.).

Slang definitions & phrases for opener

opener

Related Terms

can-opener, eye-opener