The door opened slowly.

Meaning: The door moved in a slow way, creating a space or gap.

Choice of Words: Slowly is an adverb that describes how something is done. Opened is the past tense of the verb open, which means to move something so that there is a space or gap.

Alternative Expressions

The door creaked open.

Meaning: This means that the door made a noise as it opened. It could be a high-pitched or squeaky sound, like when you rub two pieces of metal together.

Choice of Words: Creaked means to make a harsh, high-pitched sound, typically as a result of friction or strain. When you put it together with "The door opened," it suggests that the door made a squeaky or groaning noise as it moved from a closed to an open position.

The door swung open.

Meaning: This means that the door moved open by rotating on its hinges. It didn't just open straight up or down, but rather moved in a circular motion.

Choice of Words: Swung means to move or cause to move in a circular or back-and-forth motion. When you put it together with "The door opened," it suggests that the door moved from a closed to an open position by rotating on its hinges.

Related Expressions