open-ended Definition
open-ended (-en′did)
adjective
- having no set limits as to duration, direction, amount, number, etc.; broad, unlimited, or unrestricted an open-ended discussion
- open to change; allowing for modifications as things develop
- designating or of a question allowing for a freely formulated answer rather than one made by a choice from among predetermined answers
open-ended Related Forms
o′pen-end′edness noun
open-ended Synonyms
open-ended
modif.
open-ended Usage Examples
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- leave: Visconti thus leaves the story open-ended, showing that there has to be a revolutionary change to achieve anything.
- make: A lot of powerful effects and transitions are available, which makes the software quite open-ended and very creative.
Modifies a noun
- gameplay: All games will deliver the classic, open-ended gameplay along with exclusive features per platform.
- question: There was a single open-ended question for further comments.
- questionnaire: The second research, involved 25 participants, using open-ended questionnaires.
- exploration: Students will have the freedom to choose in an atmosphere supportive of open-ended exploration.
- commitment: No flat fees with vast, open-ended commitments of time.
- investigation: The core course focused on ways of promoting children's questioning skills in open-ended investigations.
Modifying Another Word
- deliberately: Questions b and c are deliberately open-ended to see how pupils tackle the problems.
- relatively: Such interviews tend to be structured around the chronology of the life course, but are otherwise relatively open-ended.
- very: I do agree that the general request is very open-ended.
- so: The maps are not always so open-ended, tho, and you can and will run into arbitrary borders if you try to.
- not: They are not open-ended, good triumphs over evil, and everyone ' lives happily ever after ' .
- fairly: They cater [ to ] a range of abilities as the tasks are fairly open-ended.
Infinitive complement
allow: Calm systems are very much open-ended to allow for future development.
Used with adjective complement
- remain: Relationships remain open-ended, unresolved or simply passing liaisons of sexual convenience.
- leave: The exact class content of the state is left open-ended.
- become: Is there a point at which fixed-term contracts must become open-ended?
Preposition: in
Browse dictionary entries near open-ended
- ‹ open-end
- ‹ open door
- ‹ open court
- ‹ open city
- ‹ open circuit
- ‹ open chain
- ‹ open-and-shut
- ‹ open and notorious
- ‹ open air
- ‹ open admissions

