wide-open

UK: ˌwaɪd ˈəʊpən | US: ˌwaɪd ˈoʊpən

Definition

  1. adj. completely open; unrestricted

  2. adj. (of a competition or situation) having no clear favorite or predictable outcome

  3. adj. (of a landscape or space) expansive and unobstructed

Structure
wide <broad>open <not closed>
Etymology

The compound "wide-open" combines "wide" (Old English wīd, meaning "spacious" or "broad") and "open" (Old English open, meaning "unclosed" or "accessible"). The fusion reflects a literal sense of physical openness (e.g., a door or landscape) and later extended metaphorically to describe unrestricted opportunities or unpredictable outcomes (e.g., a "wide-open" race). The term retains transparency in modern usage, with both morphemes contributing clearly to its meaning.

Examples

  1. The barn doors were left wide-open, allowing the wind to sweep through.

  2. The championship is still wide-open, with three teams tied for first place.

  3. She stood on the wide-open prairie, feeling the vastness of the land.

  4. The new policy created a wide-open market for small businesses.

  5. His arms were wide-open, ready to embrace her.