Open an Account: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：start a bank account (open an account)

open an account 🔊

/ˈoʊpən ən əˈkaʊnt/

v. phr.

To start a new account at a bank or online service, like for saving money or shopping.

Open an account at bank counter with teller

start a bank account 🔊

➕

/stɑːrt ə bæŋk əˈkaʊnt/

v. phr.

To initiate a financial relationship with a bank or financial institution by creating a new account for depositing money, making transactions, or saving.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Open from Old English 'openian'; account from Old French 'acont' (Latin 'computare').

💡 Mnemonic

Open a door to your money with an account!

📖 Example

I need to open an account at the bank to save money for my new laptop. 🔊 I need to open an account at the bank to save money for my new laptop.

🔗 Collocations

open a savings account – to start a savings account for accumulating interest

open a checking account – to start a checking account for daily transactions

open an online account – to start an account via internet banking

🔄 Synonyms

start an account (v. phr.) – to begin a new bank account

create an account (v. phr.) – to establish a new account, often online

set up an account (v. phr.) – to arrange for a new account to be opened

🚫 Antonyms

close an account (v. phr.) – to terminate a bank account

terminate an account (v. phr.) – to end an account formally

shut down an account (v. phr.) – to close an account, especially online

🌱 Derivatives

account holder (n.) – a person who owns an account

account opening (n.) – the process of starting a new account

account number (n.) – a unique identifier for an account

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase originates from 14th-century Italian banking, where 'aprire un conto' meant starting a financial record. It became common in English during the 17th century as banking expanded.