|
  • Search Results
  • Advanced Search
  • List Builder
  • Random Word

begin

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: begin

1
 v
set in motion, cause to start
2
 v
begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language
3
 v
achieve or accomplish in the least degree, usually used in the negative
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: begin
1

v set in motion, cause to start

“The Iraqis began hostilities”
“begin a new chapter in your life”
Synonyms:
commence, lead off, start
Antonyms:
end, terminate
bring to an end or halt
Types:
show 7 types...
hide 7 types...
jump-start, jumpstart
start or re-start vigorously
recommence
cause to start anew
inaugurate, introduce, usher in
be a precursor of
set off
set in motion or cause to begin
commence, embark on, start, start up
get off the ground
inaugurate, kick off
commence officially
open
begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.

v be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series

“The number `one' begins the sequence”
“A terrible murder begins the novel”
“The convocation ceremony officially begins the semester”
Synonyms
start
have a beginning characterized in some specified way

v take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

“We began working at dawn”
“The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia”
“He began early in the day”
Synonyms:
commence, get, get down, set about, set out, start, start out
Antonyms:
end, terminate
bring to an end or halt
Types:
show 13 types...
hide 13 types...
recommence
begin again
strike out
set out on a course of action
fall
begin vigorously
jump off
set off quickly, usually with success
get to
arrive at the point of
auspicate
commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck
attack
set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task
break in
start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role
launch, plunge
begin with vigor
come on
occur or become available
embark, enter
set out on (an enterprise or subject of study)
bestir oneself, get cracking, get going, get moving, get rolling, get started, get weaving
start to be active
take up
pursue or resume

v have a beginning characterized in some specified way

“The novel begins with a murder”
“My property begins with the three maple trees”
“Her day begins with a workout”
“The semester begins with a convocation ceremony”
Synonyms:
start
start
begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object
start
have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense
Type of:
be
have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)

v have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense

“The DMZ begins right over the hill”
“The second movement begins after the Allegro”
Synonyms:
start
start
have a beginning characterized in some specified way
Antonyms:
cease, end, finish, stop, terminate
have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical
Types:
show 6 types...
hide 6 types...
break out, erupt
start abruptly
bud
start to grow or develop
break out
begin suddenly and sometimes violently
kick in, set in
enter a particular state
dawn
appear or develop
originate
begin a trip at a certain point, as of a plane, train, bus, etc.

v have a beginning, of a temporal event

“WW II began in 1939 when Hitler marched into Poland”
“The company's Asia tour begins next month”
Synonyms
commence, lead off, start
set in motion, cause to start
start
have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense
Type of:
be
have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)

v begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object

“begin a cigar”
Synonyms:
start
start
have a beginning characterized in some specified way
Type of:
act, move
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
2

v begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language

“She began Russian at an early age”
Synonyms
commence, get, get down, set about, set out, start, start out
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

v begin to speak or say

“"Now listen, friends," he began”
Type of:
mouth, speak, talk, utter, verbalise, verbalize
express in speech
3

v achieve or accomplish in the least degree, usually used in the negative

“This economic measure doesn't even begin to deal with the problem of inflation”
“You cannot even begin to understand the problem we had to deal with during the war”
Type of:
accomplish, achieve, attain, reach
to gain with effort
Launch
WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES