French word

ouvrir

Pronunciation

IPA/uvʁiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbopen

Example

Peux-tu ouvrir la fenêtre, s'il te plaît ?

Can you open the window, please?

Illustration for ouvrir (open)

More examples

Le magasin va ouvrir à neuf heures.

The store will open at nine.

Core concept

A closed barrier or possibility becomes accessible, allowing entry, use, or a new activity to begin.

Common phrases

  • ouvrir la porte

    open the door

  • ouvrir un compte

    open an account

  • ouvrir la fenêtre

    open the window

Similar words

fermer: Close a door or window so passage between inside and outside is blocked.
verrouiller: Lock a door or window so it cannot be opened from outside.
déverrouiller: Remove a lock or security device so a door or device can be opened.
allumer: Turn on a light or ignite a fire to produce light or heat.

Definition in French

Permettre l'accès ou le commencement d'une action ou d'un état, au sens concret (ouvrir une porte) comme au sens figuré (ouvrir un dossier, ouvrir un dialogue).

Word origin

Ouvrir comes from Latin aperire through Old French forms such as ovrir, with the modern verb retaining both concrete and figurative senses.

Usage tips

  • Ouvrir is a third-group verb with the present forms j'ouvre and nous ouvrons, while its past participle is ouvert.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word