open-ender
Unrestricted response prompt
An open-ender is a question or situation that doesn't have a fixed or predetermined answer—one that invites exploration rather than a simple yes or no: The interviewer threw me an open-ender about my biggest failure.
The term appears in journalism, research, and casual conversation to describe prompts designed to elicit elaboration.
Formal questioning session
- probeThorough examination or tool
- inquiryRequest for information
- Socratic methodTeaching by strategic questioning
- essay questionQuery requiring written argument
follow-up · dialogue · elaboration · clarification · deep dive · unpacking · critical thinking · free response
Contest deciding drawn competitors
- deciding gameContest determining overall winner
- playoff gameTournament elimination contest
- rubber matchDecisive third contest
- championship gameContest determining the champion
sudden death · winner-take-all · clutch moment · high stakes · game seven · finale · showdown · crunch time
interview
Formal questioning session
- probeThorough examination or tool
- inquiryRequest for information
- Socratic methodTeaching by strategic questioning
essay question · follow-up · dialogue · elaboration · clarification · deep dive · unpacking · critical thinking · free response
tiebreaker
Contest deciding drawn competitors
- deciding gameContest determining overall winner
- playoff gameTournament elimination contest
- rubber matchDecisive third contest
championship game · sudden death · winner-take-all · clutch moment · high stakes · game seven · finale · showdown · crunch time · do-or-die
open-endermultiple choice
Question with listed options
multiple-choice question · closed question · true-false question · yes/no question
end, open, opening, ending, opened, opens, openness, opener, reopen