Definition

Adjective: 1. Not covered or protected; left or made visible or vulnerable: Describes something that is not shielded, concealed, or clothed, and is therefore open to view, the elements, or danger. 2. Open to the weather or to a specific environmental condition: Describes something that is unsheltered and subject to the direct impact of weather, such as wind or rain. 3. Made susceptible to a risk, condition, or experience: Describes a state of being laid open to something, often something harmful or undesirable.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a lack of physical covering or protection:
  • The exposed brick wall gave the room an industrial feel.
  • The wiring was dangerously exposed and needed immediate repair.
• Describing vulnerability to weather or elements:
  • The campsite was on an exposed hillside, battered by the wind.
  • They walked along the exposed cliff path.
• Describing a state of being subject to risk or view:
  • The scandal left the politician's private life exposed.
  • Without the vaccine, the population was exposed to the disease.

Advanced Usage

• "to feel exposed": to feel vulnerable, unprotected, or emotionally naked.
  • Speaking about her failures, she felt completely exposed.
• "exposed to": subjected to or in contact with (often something influential or harmful).
  • Children exposed to multiple languages often learn them quickly.
  • Workers were exposed to high levels of radiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Expose (verb): To make something visible or vulnerable by uncovering it; to reveal.
  • The investigation exposed corruption within the company.
• Exposure (noun): The state of being exposed; the revelation of something secret; the action of exposing a photographic film to light.
  • Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage.
  • The newspaper's exposure of the fraud led to arrests.

Synonyms

• Uncovered: Having no covering.
• Unprotected: Not protected or kept safe.
• Vulnerable: Susceptible to physical or emotional harm.
• Open: Not closed or blocked up; accessible.
• Bare: Not clothed or covered.

Antonyms

• Covered: Overlain with or enclosed within something.
• Protected: Kept safe from harm or injury.
• Sheltered: Protected from bad weather or danger.
• Concealed: Kept secret; hidden.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Leave oneself exposed": To put oneself in a vulnerable position, often strategically.
  • By attacking so early, the general left his flank exposed.
• "Exposed nerve": Literally, a nerve that is not covered by tissue; figuratively, a source of acute sensitivity or pain.
  • That topic is like an exposed nerve for him—don't bring it up.

Adjective

1. not covered with clothing
   • her exposed breast
2. with no protection or shield
   • the exposed northeast frontier
   • open to the weather
   • an open wound