start
A1Neutral/Universal; extremely common across all registers.
Definition
Meaning
To begin or cause to begin from a particular point in time or space.
Can involve the beginning of a process, journey, enterprise, or the initial operation of a machine. Also, to move suddenly from surprise, fear, or alarm; to jump.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb (transitive/intransitive), also a noun. As a verb, it has a productive causative use ('He started the engine' / 'The meeting started'). The noun denotes the beginning point or an instance of sudden involuntary movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. US English often uses 'start' in the context of beginning a vehicle ('start the car'). Brits use both 'start' and 'turn over'. In sports, Brits use 'kick off' for football; Americans 'start' for many games. As a noun, 'start' for a job position is common in US business English ('a good start').
Connotations
Generally identical. Slightly more associated with machinery/engines in US colloquial use.
Frequency
Extremely high and nearly identical in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[intransitive]: The film starts at 8pm.[transitive]: She started the meeting.[start + to-infinitive]: It started to rain.[start + V-ing]: He started working here in 2020.[start + object + V-ing]: The news started everyone talking.[start + as/like/with]: The word starts with 'S'.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Start from scratch.”
- “Get off to a flying/good/bad start.”
- “Start the ball rolling.”
- “In fits and starts.”
- “To start with (used to introduce a first point).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To initiate a project, process, or company; 'We need to start the onboarding process.'
Academic
To begin a study, argument, or period; 'The chapter starts with a review of the literature.'
Everyday
Ubiquitous for beginnings of activities, events, machines; 'What time does the show start?'
Technical
In computing: to boot a program or system; in engineering: to initiate an engine cycle.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The play starts at seven.
- He couldn't start the old lorry.
- It's starting to drizzle.
American English
- The game starts at 7 PM.
- I need to start my essay tonight.
- She started the car and drove off.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- School starts at nine o'clock.
- Can you start the computer, please?
- I started my homework after dinner.
- He started his own business last year.
- The meeting started with a brief introduction.
- She started laughing uncontrollably.
- The government's policy started a fierce public debate.
- We'll have to start from scratch if the data is lost.
- Starting a family requires careful financial planning.
- The sudden noise made him start, spilling his coffee.
- The novel starts in medias res, with the protagonist in grave danger.
- Their research started a paradigm shift in the field.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a race where the **STAR**Ting pistol fires at the **START** line.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEYS (The start of a long journey), MACHINES (Starting up like an engine), RACES (A head start).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'start' for 'switch on' lights/appliances (use 'turn on').
- Don't confuse noun 'start' (начало) with 'starter' (закуска, стартер).
- In Russian, 'начинать' often pairs with an infinitive; in English, both 'start to do' and 'start doing' are correct with a slight nuance of regularity vs. a single action.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I started learning English since 2020.' Correct: 'I started learning English in 2020.'
- Overuse of 'begin' in informal contexts where 'start' is more natural (e.g., 'Start the car', not 'Begin the car').
- Using 'start' without an object where one is needed: 'She started a new book' (began reading/writing) vs. 'The book started' (the story began).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical collocation with 'start'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Start' is more common, informal, and has a wider range (machines, journeys). 'Begin' is slightly more formal, often used for processes, ceremonies, and narrative. They are largely interchangeable for activities.
Both are correct. 'Start doing' can imply a sense of regularity or background activity. 'Start to do' often emphasizes the moment of beginning or is used with verbs of feeling/knowing (e.g., 'I started to understand'). The difference is subtle.
Yes, very commonly. It means the beginning point (e.g., 'the start of the race') or an advantage in a competition (e.g., 'a head start'), or a sudden involuntary movement (e.g., 'She woke with a start').
Not always. 'Start up' is a phrasal verb often used for machines, engines, or businesses, emphasizing the initial activation phase. 'Start' is the broader, more general term.
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Routine
A1 · 50 words · Words for describing your everyday activities and schedule.
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.