start

Examples

• All

• Soon after, Lugg realized with a start that he was being led along by the ear.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Gracious Ethel, what a start you gave me.

  This Happy Breed (1944)

• Embarrassing as it sounds, you gave me quite a start.

  Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)

• Lily realized with a start that he had no irises: he was blind.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Caroline wakes up with a start, then sees Toby sitting in a chair, watching her.

  Fiction book (1993)

• A half-dozen black feral goats looked up with a start as Robert Cabin emerged from the stand of trees.

  Academic text (2000)

• Baines wakes rudely with a start, frozen by the sight of Stewart and his rifle.

  Fiction book (1993)

• She jumped with a start when the loud noise suddenly filled the room.

• He felt a familiar start as he entered the dark basement, feeling unexpected fear.

• The cat leaped with a start at the sight of the mouse darting across the floor.

Synonyms

J

jolt

vsstart

64 3.8

A sudden hard movement that shocks or surprises you

is a sudden involuntary movement usually from surprise or fear, not from external force

S

shiver

vsstart

50 1.4

A sudden small shake of the body from cold, fear or excitement

is a sudden involuntary movement more often linked to surprise or fear than to cold

S

shudder

vsstart

20 4.1

A sudden, uncontrolled shaking of the body from fear, cold, or strong feeling

is usually caused by surprise or fear rather than cold or other strong emotions

J

jump

vsstart

19 1.0

A sudden movement of the body caused by surprise

has the same sudden involuntary movement meaning and is used interchangeably

J

jerk

vsstart

7 2.2

A sudden sharp movement or pull

is an involuntary sudden movement usually caused by surprise or fear, not just a pull

S

startle response

vsstart

• Specialized

1 6.6

A quick automatic reaction to a sudden sound or movement that makes you jump

is the sudden involuntary movement without the full reflex and mental components

S

startle reaction

vsstart

• Specialized

6.3

A quick change in your body and feelings when something suddenly surprises you, like a loud noise

is a sudden involuntary movement rather than a combined mental and bodily response

S

startle reflex

vsstart

• Specialized

5.1

A baby's quick arm and leg movement after a loud noise

is the general sudden involuntary movement in all ages, not infant specific

Idioms

F

from start to finish

22 2.1

For the whole time, from the beginning to the end

G

to get off to a flying start

1 4.9

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

S

to start with a clean sheet

• Informal

4.4

Do something new and not worry about past mistakes

S

to start from the drawing board

• Informal

4.0

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

Compounds

H

head start

82 2.5

An advantage from starting earlier than others that helps you succeed

F

fresh start

52 3.2

A chance to begin again after problems

R

rocky start

8 4.0

A difficult beginning to an activity or relationship

H

housing start

• Specialized

7 5.0

The start of building a new house or apartment building

R

running start

3 3.4

A quick, strong beginning that gives an early advantage

J

jump-start

2 4.0

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

F

flying start

• Informal

1 3.7

A very good beginning that gives an early advantage

S

start of the day

1 1.4

The early part of the morning when people begin daily activities

C

crouch start

• Specialized

6.0

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

K

kick start

• Specialized

4.7

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

R

racing start

3.4

The moment a race begins after a signal

R

running start

2.8

A runner who moves at full speed before the race line

S

Sure Start Maternity Grant

• UK

5.8

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

S

start-off

3.2

The first moment when a race or event begins

How Startled

convulsion

• Specialized

20 7.3

start

34 1.0

jolt

64 3.8

jerk

7 2.2

to twitch

66 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology