open posture
Arms uncrossed, relaxed
Open posture is body language that signals receptiveness and approachability—uncrossed arms and legs, relaxed shoulders, facing someone directly.
The term appears in discussions of nonverbal communication, job interviews, and social dynamics: Maintain an open posture to appear confident and engaged.
Contrasts with closed or defensive posture.
- relaxedFree of stress
- welcomingReceiving others warmly
- receptiveOpen to input
- leaning forwardTilted toward the front
- lean inTilt body forward
approachable · inviting · warm · engaged · eye contact · attentive · soft gaze · shoulders back · palms up · body language · confident · vulnerable · expansive · trusting · friendly · comfortable · ease · listening
- body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, nodding, pointing
- bedside mannerbedside manner, compassionate care, patient comfort, rapport, reassurance
- nonverbal cuesbody language, eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, nonverbal cues
- listeningactive listening, attentive, listening skills, listening comprehension, focused attention
- empathic listeningactive listening, reflective listening, paraphrasing, reflecting, mirroring
open postureclosed posture
Defensive body language
crossed arms · hunched shoulders · arms folded · fetal position · curled up
open, posture, opens, opened, opening, opener, openness, openly, reopen