start
/stɑːt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To begin doing something, or to make something begin. It can also mean to launch an activity, business, or process.
- We start work at nine.
- She started a new job yesterday.
- They started the meeting late.
noun
The beginning of something, or the first moment when something happens. It can also mean a sudden movement caused by surprise.
- The start of the film was exciting.
- At the start, I felt nervous.
- He gave a start when the door opened.
Adinary Nuance
Start is the most general word for beginning something. Use begin in more formal writing or speeches, and commence in very formal or official contexts. Start sounds natural in everyday English and is common in speech, business, and study.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bắt đầu
- Spanish
- empezar
- Chinese
- 开始
- Japanese
- 始める
- Korean
- 시작하다
Etymology
Old English startian meant 'to move suddenly' or 'jerk'. The sense of 'begin' developed later in Middle English.
Common phrases
start a conversationstart from scratchthe start of somethingmake a start
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is start more common than begin?
- Yes. **Start** is more common in everyday English and spoken English.
- Is start formal or informal?
- It is neutral. It works in speech, emails, and most writing.
- What is the difference between start and begin?
- They are often the same. **Begin** sounds a little more formal.
- Can start be used for machines and systems?
- Yes. We say a machine, engine, or app can start.