Entrance vs. Opening: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 3, 2023

"Entrance" primarily refers to a place of entry, like a door, whereas "Opening" is a more general term, referring to any gap or space allowing access. Both convey access points but differ in specificity and context.

Key Differences

The terms "Entrance" and "Opening" both represent points of access, but they have nuances that set them apart. "Entrance" typically refers to a structured point of access or entry, such as a door or gateway, often in buildings or rooms. It implies a defined and intentional space created for entering. In contrast, "Opening" denotes any space or gap that allows access, and it is a broader term. An "Opening" could be a hole, a break, or a space in any surface or enclosure and does not necessarily denote intentionality or design like "Entrance" does.

Sep 25, 2023

When considering the context of usage, "Entrance" is mostly used in architectural, residential, or commercial contexts to describe designed entry points like doors or gates. "Opening," on the other hand, is versatile in its application and can describe natural gaps, breaks, or spaces in various contexts, not limited to architecture or design. For instance, one could refer to an "Opening" in the trees or an "Opening" in a conversation, but using "Entrance" in such contexts would be inappropriate.

Sep 25, 2023

The connotation of "Entrance" often carries a degree of formality and permanence, implying a structured and established point of entry, often marked and recognizable. It has a specialized use, specifically indicating a point where one may enter. On the contrary, "Opening" can convey a more temporary, flexible, or informal access point. It can represent any breach or gap, whether it’s intended for access or just exists as a break in a continuous surface. The "Opening" in a wall, for instance, might be accidental or deliberate and may or may not serve as a point of entry.

Sep 25, 2023

Reflecting on the application in sentences, "Entrance" would be apt when referring to a formal or designated entry point, such as "the entrance to the building," highlighting its structured and intended nature for access. In contrast, "Opening" could be used in a variety of situations to represent gaps or spaces, like "an opening in the clouds," emphasizing its versatility and application to any situation where there’s a break or gap allowing access or passage, whether intentional or not.

Sep 25, 2023

Comparison Chart

Context of Use

Mostly architectural, structured points of entry.

Versatile, used to describe any gap allowing access.

Sep 25, 2023

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Connotation

Formal, permanent, and intentional.

Can be informal, temporary, or unintentional.

Sep 25, 2023

Specificity

Specific to designed points of entry.

Broad, can be any gap, break, or space.

Sep 25, 2023

Application

Applies to doors, gates, or structured entry points.

Applies to any accessible gap or space, intentional or not.

Sep 25, 2023

Flexibility

Less flexible, mostly used for structured entry points.

Highly flexible, used in varied contexts.

Sep 25, 2023

Entrance and Opening Definitions

Entrance

A point or place of entering.

The museum has a grand entrance.

Sep 25, 2023

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Opening

The act or an instance of becoming open or being made to open

The opening of the tomb.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The right, means, or opportunity to enter.

Entrance to the club is restricted.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

A gap, breach, or aperture

Slipped through an opening in the hedge.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The coming of an actor on stage.

The audience clapped at his entrance.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

A clearing in the woods.

Apr 11, 2023

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Entrance

The act or an instance of entering.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first part or stage, as of a book.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

A means or point by which to enter.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first performance

The opening of a play.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

Permission or power to enter; admission

Gained entrance to medical school.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A formal commencement of operation

Attended the opening of the new museum.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The point, as in a musical score, at which a performer begins.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A specific pattern or series of beginning moves in certain games, especially chess.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The first entry of an actor into a scene.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An opportunity affording a chance of success.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(Nautical) The immersed part of a ship's hull forward of the middle body.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An unfilled job or position; a vacancy.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

To put into a trance.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

Present participle of open

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

To fill with delight, wonder, or enchantment

A child who was entranced by a fairy tale.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.

The opening act of the battle for Fort Sumter was the firing of a single 10-inch mortar round from Fort Johnson at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, by Lt. Henry S. Farley, who acted upon the command of Capt. George S. James, which round exploded over Fort Sumter as a signal to open the general bombardment from 43 guns and mortars at Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the floating battery, and Cummings Point.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(countable) The action of entering, or going in.

Her entrance attracted no attention whatsoever.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

(cricket) describing the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket; describing a batsman who opens the innings or a bowler who opens the attack

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The act of taking possession, as of property, or of office.

The entrance of an heir upon his inheritance, or of a magistrate into office

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An act or instance of making or becoming open.

The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.

He remembered fondly the Christmas morning opening of presents.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(countable) The place of entering, as a gate or doorway.

Place your bag by the entrance so that you can find it easily.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A gap permitting passage through.

A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.

He slipped through an opening in the crowd.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(uncountable) The right to go in.

You'll need a ticket to gain entrance to the museum.

To give entrance to friends

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An act or instance of beginning.

There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.

Their opening of the concert with Brass in Pocket always fires up the crowd.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The entering upon; the beginning, or that with which the beginning is made; the commencement; initiation.

A difficult entrance into business

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

Something that is a beginning.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The causing to be entered upon a register, as a ship or goods, at a customhouse; an entering.

His entrance of the arrival was made the same day.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first performance of a show or play by a particular troupe.

They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening, but hoped that word would spread.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(nautical) The angle which the bow of a vessel makes with the water at the water line.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The initial period when a show at an art gallery or museum is first opened, especially the first evening.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(nautical) The bow, or entire wedgelike forepart of a vessel, below the water line.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first few measures of a musical composition.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(music) The beginning of a musician's playing or singing; entry.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first few moves in a game.

John spends two hours a day studying chess openings, and another two hours studying endgames.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(transitive) To delight and fill with wonder.

The children were immediately entranced by all the balloons.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A vacant position, especially in an array.

Are there likely to be any openings on the Supreme Court in the next four years?

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

(transitive) To put into a trance.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A time available in a schedule.

If you'd like to make a booking with us, we have an opening at twelve o'clock.

The only two-hour openings for the hockey rink are between 1AM and 5AM.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The act of entering or going into; ingress; as, the entrance of a person into a house or an apartment; hence, the act of taking possession, as of property, or of office; as, the entrance of an heir upon his inheritance, or of a magistrate into office.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An unoccupied employment position.

We have an opening in our marketing department.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

Liberty, power, or permission to enter; as, to give entrance to friends.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An opportunity, as in a competitive activity.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The passage, door, or gate, for entering.

Show us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

(math) In mathematical morphology, the dilation of the erosion of a set.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The entering upon; the beginning, or that with which the beginning is made; the commencement; initiation; as, a difficult entrance into business.

St. Augustine, in the entrance of one of his discourses, makes a kind of apology.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The act or process of opening; a beginning; commencement; first appearance; as, the opening of a speech.

The opening of your glory was like that of light.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The causing to be entered upon a register, as a ship or goods, at a customhouse; an entering; as, his entrance of the arrival was made the same day.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A place which is open; a breach; an aperture; a gap; cleft, or hole.

We saw him at the opening of his tent.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The angle which the bow of a vessel makes with the water at the water line.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An opportunity; as, an opening for business.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

To put into a trance; to make insensible to present objects.

Him, still entranced and in a litter laid,They bore from field and to the bed conveyed.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A vacant place; a job which does not have a current occupant; as, they are now interviewing candidates for the two openings in the department.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

To put into an ecstasy; to ravish with delight or wonder; to enrapture; to charm.

And I so ravished with her heavenly note,I stood entranced, and had no room for thought.

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A thinly wooded space, without undergrowth, in the midst of a forest; a clearing; as, oak openings.

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

Something that provides access (entry or exit);

They waited at the entrance to the garden

Beggars waited just outside the entryway to the cathedral

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An open or empty space in or between things;

There was a small opening between the trees

The explosion made a gap in the wall

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

A movement into or inward

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

The act of entering;

She made a grand entrance

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

Becoming open or being made open;

The opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

Attract; cause to be enamored;

She captured all the men's hearts

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first performance (as of a theatrical production);

The opening received good critical reviews

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

Put into a trance

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The act of opening something;

The ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

An act or instance of going or coming in.

His entrance was met with applause.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

Opportunity especially for employment or promotion;

There is an opening in the sales department

Apr 11, 2023

Entrance

A space or way for entering.

The building has a narrow entrance.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

The initial part of the introduction;

The opening established the basic theme

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A possible alternative;

Bankruptcy is always a possibility

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An aperture or hole opening into a bodily cavity;

The orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made;

They left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

An entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

The first of a series of actions;

He memorized all the important chess openings

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

First or beginning;

The memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth

The play's opening scene

Apr 11, 2023

Opening

A space or gap that allows access.

The cat slipped through the opening in the fence.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

An opportunity to achieve something.

The job provides an opening for career advancement.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

The first part or stage of an event.

The opening of the ceremony was spectacular.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

An act of making a space or gap.

The opening in the wall was deliberate.

Sep 25, 2023

Opening

The initial stage of a process.

The opening negotiations were tough.

Sep 25, 2023

FAQs

Do "Entrance" and "Opening" have the same meaning?

They have similar meanings but differ in context, specificity, and formality.

Sep 25, 2023

Is "Entrance" more formal?

Yes, "Entrance" generally has a more formal and structured connotation.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" represent a break in a surface?

Yes, "Opening" can represent any break or gap in a continuous surface.

Sep 25, 2023

Is "Entrance" specific to architecture?

It is commonly used in architectural contexts but not exclusively so.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" refer to any gap or space?

Yes, "Opening" can refer to any gap or space allowing access.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Entrance" refer to the act of entering?

Yes, it can refer to both the act of entering and the place of entry.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" be informal?

Yes, it can convey a more informal and temporary access point.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" denote an opportunity?

Yes, "Opening" can also represent an opportunity or a starting point.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" be used more broadly than "Entrance"?

Yes, "Opening" has a broader, more versatile application.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" be an initial stage of an event?

Yes, it can represent the initial stage or the commencement of an event.

Sep 25, 2023

Is "Entrance" always intentional?

It typically implies intentionality and design but not necessarily always.

Sep 25, 2023

Is "Entrance" a structured point of entry?

Typically, it refers to a structured and designed point of entry.

Sep 25, 2023

Does "Entrance" always imply permanence?

It often implies a degree of permanence, but context is crucial.

Sep 25, 2023

Can "Opening" be a natural gap?

Yes, it can represent natural gaps or breaks in surfaces or enclosures.

Sep 25, 2023

Is "Entrance" used in performing arts?

Yes, it’s used to denote an actor’s appearance on stage.

Sep 25, 2023

Absorbancy vs. Absorbency

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About Author

Written by

Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by

Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.