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to start

to start

∞ 1.0
To begin an action, event or process
  • verb
  • /stɑrt/
: empezar
  • To improve your health, you should start exercising regularly.
  • get started
  • just started
  • start again

Where do I even start with this, Kirk?

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Examples

  • It's just you got to start thinking about your future.

  • Tomorrow morning I want you to start work on a completely new project, Mr Farnsworth.

  • You want to start early, start short and stay short.

  • OK, the real closer look is going to start now.

  • But well, we can just start with this.

  • When you leave this class, start your reading for next week.

  • Now I have to start all over.

  • Dr. Lee believes the most effective way to start is by talking to your doctor.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Well, why don't we start with why bread matters?

    ZOE
  • Temple was one of the first universities to start using sponsored content at BuzzFeed.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

to begin
vsto start
∞ 1.0

To start an activity, event, or speech

is used both for acting oneself and for causing action in others
to open
vsto start
∞ 1.0

To begin an event or activity

is wider and also covers causing processes or actions, not only openings
to get started
vsto start
774 1.8

To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting

is the general expression for causing activity or making things move
to get going
vsto start
598 2.3

To start doing something or to leave

is the neutral term for causing activity rather than noting readiness
to start out
vsto start
465 1.4

To begin a job, project, or career

is the broad term for causing activity, not only initial steps
to trigger
vsto start
425 4.2

To cause something to start or happen

is broader and less tied to a sudden or specific cause
to initiate
vsto start
347 4.5

To start something such as a project or discussion

is the neutral everyday word for causing something to happen
to take up
vsto start
270 3.4

To begin a job, activity, or hobby

is more general and applies to any action taking place, not only commitments
to open up
vsto start
175 3.4

Begin to work and serve customers, like a shop or theater

is the general term for causing action, not only business openings
to kick off
vsto start
168 3.5

To start an event or activity, often officially

is the general verb for causing action without formal ceremony or fanfare
to commence
vsto start
  • Formal
157 4.4

To begin something

is the everyday word for causing action rather than formal ceremony
to originate
vsto start
146 3.8

To start or create something

is more general, covering making things happen or taking action
to go on
vsto start
136 1.1

Start working, like lights or an alarm

is broader, applying to people doing activities as well as machines
to get down
vsto start
121 4.4

To start doing work or a task seriously

is broader and can mean casual action as well as urgent effort
to embark on
vsto start
95 4.2

To start a new project, activity or journey that is often big and difficult

is the neutral verb for causing action, not only for major projects or journeys
to start up
vsto start
86 3.0

To make a machine or system begin to work

is the common verb for causing activity and also covers many actions
to set out
vsto start
65 2.4

To begin a journey to go to another place

is the neutral verb for causing an action, not restricted to travel or departure
to set off
vsto start
53 2.4

To begin a journey toward a place

is the general word for making something happen, not only travel or departure
to set in motion
vsto start
48 3.5

To make something begin to move or happen

is the general term for making something happen or become active
to jump-start
vsto start
38 3.8

To make a stopped activity or project begin again with energy

implies energetic revival rather than neutral or planned initiation
to come up
vsto start
  • Specialized
30 3.5

To start working after being switched on

is the general word for causing or doing actions, not only equipment
29 4.2

Start a project or business successfully so it begins to work

focuses on successful early activity rather than mere initial action
to lead off
vsto start
28 3.8

To start an event or activity, for example a speech

is broader and not limited to being the initial action in events
to set about
vsto start
24 3.4

To start doing something in a determined way

is the general term for causing action without implying organization
17 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

is the neutral verb for causing action, not only initial single steps
to kick-start
vsto start
16 4.2

Help a project, plan, or the economy begin quickly

focuses on giving momentum and stimulus, not neutral initiation or planning
to jumpstart
vsto start
11 4.7

To make something begin or become active quickly and with energy

is about energetic revival rather than the simple act of causing action
to set forth
vsto start
8 3.9

To begin a journey to a place

is the general action word, while this specifically refers to leaving on journeys
to kickstart
vsto start
4 3.8

To start something quickly and give it extra energy to grow

is mainly about quick energetic help rather than calm, slow action
to start into
vsto start
  • Informal
2 4.3

Begin speaking or acting quickly with energy about a topic

is more neutral and does not imply sudden or lively engagement

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To make something end and not continue

93 2.3

A stop in movement or activity

Idioms

For the whole time, from the beginning to the end

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

Do something new and not worry about past mistakes

To begin a plan or project again from the start after a failure

Phrasal Verbs

465 1.4

To begin a job, project, or career

343 2.5

To do something again from the start after a mistake or problem

126 3.2

To begin a new business or project

86 3.0

To make a machine or system begin to work

To begin an activity or meeting before someone arrives

To have children and begin raising them

To begin living in a very different place or way after a big change

38 3.8

To make a stopped activity or project begin again with energy

to start fresh
  • Informal
36 3.6

Begin again without bringing past problems

Tell others to begin without you when you are late

16 4.2

Help a project, plan, or the economy begin quickly

7 2.5

To leave a place to go to another place

To start a car engine that has a dead battery using another car's battery and cables

to start into
  • Informal
2 4.3

Begin speaking or acting quickly with energy about a topic

Begin to droop or hang down because of weight

To begin a determined public campaign to change something

To do something that gives you energy in the morning

Make a motorcycle engine run by pushing a lever with your foot

To lose energy or interest slowly until it fades

To make someone feel eager and ready to work again

Compounds

88 2.5

An advantage from starting earlier than others that helps you succeed

73 3.2

A chance to begin again after problems

housing start
  • Specialized
9 5.0

The start of building a new house or apartment building

9 4.0

A difficult beginning to an activity or relationship

7 4.0

An act of starting a car with a dead battery using another car's battery and cables

A quick, strong beginning that gives an early advantage

A runner who moves at full speed before the race line

3 3.4

The moment a race begins after a signal

kick start
  • Specialized
2 4.7

A lever on a motorcycle that you press with your foot to start the engine

flying start
  • Informal
2 3.7

A very good beginning that gives an early advantage

The early part of the morning when people begin daily activities

1 3.2

The first moment when a race or event begins

crouch start
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A low position close to the ground that runners use before a race to start quickly

A one-time payment from the UK government to help with baby costs for parents who meet certain rules

How Seriously

to commit
345 3.4
to tackle
238 3.4
to get down
121 4.4
to set about
24 3.4
to start
∞ 1.0
to dabble
50 4.8

Surface Forms

start infinitive
started past
started past participle
starting present participle
starts third person singular

Etymology

Start comes from an old word meaning 'to jump' or 'move suddenly', so you can think of something 'jumping into action' when it begins — that's why start means 'to begin' or set something in motion.