open-ended
UK: ˌəʊpən ˈendɪd | US: ˌoʊpən ˈendɪd
adj. allowing for a variety of possible answers or outcomes; not fixed or limited
adj. (of a question) designed to encourage a full, meaningful response rather than a brief or factual one
adj. (of a contract or agreement) not having a predetermined conclusion or deadline
The word "open-ended" combines "open" (from Old English "open," meaning "not closed" or "accessible") and "ended" (from Old English "endian," meaning "to bring to a limit"). The suffix "-ed" turns the phrase into an adjective. The term emerged in the early 19th century to describe questions or agreements without fixed boundaries, reflecting a shift toward flexibility in communication and legal contexts. The logic is straightforward: something "open" lacks constraints, while "ended" implies a boundary—together, they create the idea of an unbounded or adaptable structure.
The interviewer asked an open-ended question to encourage detailed responses.
The project has an open-ended timeline, allowing for creative exploration.
Their contract was intentionally left open-ended to accommodate future changes.
Open-ended discussions often yield more innovative ideas than rigid formats.
The survey included both multiple-choice and open-ended sections.