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Glite Dictionary
🚦 To begin 🏁 The beginning 🏅 To play first 🏅 A first game 😲 To jump in surprise ⏩ An advantage 😲 A sudden movement
to start

to start

530 1.0
To make a sudden small movement when surprised or afraid
  • verb
  • /stɑrt/
translation icon : sobresaltarse
  • Well, when the fireworks went off, poor boy, started screaming and howling.
  • start crying
  • start screaming
  • start shaking

Examples

  • Alex was so shocked he didn't start crying for what seemed like a long time.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The sudden sound of the boy next door starting to play his trumpet startles him.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Yeah, and then your teeth start to just burn.

  • It's mental back in the South, start screaming, hands on your head.

  • The machinery had started to move and nothing could stop it.

    Double Indemnity (1944)

  • David had barely said okay when they squealed and started to run toward the truck.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • This guy named Jason freaked out and started killing everyone.

    Hell of a Summer (2023)

  • She started when the loud noise made her jump in surprise.

  • The dog started at the sudden sound of the door slamming.

  • He started when he saw the snake slithering past him unexpectedly.

Synonyms

to jump
vsto start
217 1.0

To move or start suddenly because you are surprised

emphasizes sudden reaction to surprise or alarm rather than physical skill
to spring
vsto start
141 1.0

To move suddenly by jumping, leaping, or bouncing

is specifically a sudden reaction to surprise or alarm rather than general quick motion
to flinch
vsto start
71 4.1

Move back quickly because of pain, fear or surprise

involves a larger sudden movement rather than a slight withdrawing motion
to startle
vsto start
50 3.3

To move suddenly, for example by jumping, because you feel surprised

has the same meaning and describes the same sudden reaction
to jolt
vsto start
8 4.3

To surprise someone and make them react

refers to a sudden physical movement or leap caused by alarm or surprise
to jump out of one's skin
vsto start
  • Informal
5 7.7

To be very surprised and move suddenly because of fear

describes a sudden movement that is less strong than that extreme reaction

Idioms

from start to finish
22 2.1

For the whole time, from the beginning to the end

to get off to a flying start
1 4.9

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

to start with a clean sheet
  • Informal
4.4

Do something new and not worry about past mistakes

to start from the drawing board
  • Informal
4.0

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

Phrasal Verbs

to start out
286 1.4

To begin a job, project, or career

to start over
283 2.5

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

to start a family
44 1.9

To have children and begin raising them

to start out
39 2.5

To leave a place to go to another place

to start up
38 3.0

To make a machine or system begin to work

to start without
28 4.8

To begin an activity or meeting before someone arrives

to start fresh
  • Informal
26 3.6

Begin again without bringing past problems

to start a new life
25 3.5

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

to start up
16 3.2

To begin a new business or project

to jump-start
16 3.8

To make a stopped activity or project begin again with energy

to start without me
9 4.5

Tell others to begin without you when you are late

to kick-start
8 4.2

Help a project, plan, or the economy begin quickly

to jump-start
1 3.7

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

to start to sag
1 3.7

Begin to droop or hang down because of weight

to start into
  • Informal
1 4.3

Begin speaking or acting quickly with energy about a topic

to kick-start
1 4.4

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

to start a crusade
1 7.9

To begin a determined public campaign to change something

to kick start my day
6.3

To do something that gives you energy in the morning

to jump-start motivation
6.5

To make someone feel eager and ready to work again

to start to fizzle
4.8

To lose energy or interest slowly until it fades

Compounds

head start
82 2.5

An advantage from starting earlier than others that helps you succeed

fresh start
52 3.2

A chance to begin again after problems

rocky start
8 4.0

A difficult beginning to an activity or relationship

housing start
  • Specialized
7 5.0

The start of building a new house or apartment building

running start
3 3.4

A quick, strong beginning that gives an early advantage

jump-start
2 4.0

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

flying start
  • Informal
1 3.7

A very good beginning that gives an early advantage

start of the day
1 1.4

The early part of the morning when people begin daily activities

crouch start
  • Specialized
6.0

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

kick start
  • Specialized
4.7

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

racing start
3.4

The moment a race begins after a signal

running start
2.8

A runner who moves at full speed before the race line

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

start-off
3.2

The first moment when a race or event begins

How Startled

to bolt
69 2.3
to start
530 1.0
to jump
217 1.0
to flinch
71 4.1

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

Start first meant 'to jump' or 'move suddenly', the same idea you see in the word startle, so to start is to make a quick movement because you are surprised.