Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense starts, present participle starting, past tense, past participle started
1. verb
If you startto do something, you do something that you were not doing before and you continue doing it.
John then unlocked the front door and I started to follow him up the stairs. [VERB to-infinitive]
It was 1956 when Susanna started the work on the garden. [VERB noun/verb-ing]
She started cleaning the kitchen. [VERB noun/verb-ing]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: set about, begin, proceed, embark upon More Synonyms of start
Start is also a noun.
After several starts, she read the report properly.
2. verb
When something starts, or if someone starts it, it takes place from a particular time.
The fire is thought to have started in an upstairs room. [VERB preposition]
The Great War started in August of that year. [VERB preposition]
Trains start at 11.00 and an hourly service will operate until 16.00. [VERB preposition]
All of the passengers started the day with a swim. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: begin, arise, originate, issue More Synonyms of start
Start is also a noun.
...1918, four years after the start of the Great War. [+ of]
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
3. verb
If you start by doing something, or if you start with something, you do that thing first in a series of actions.
I started by asking about day-care centers. [VERB + by]
He started with a good holiday in Key West, Florida. [VERB + with]
4. verb
You use start to say what someone's first job was. For example, if their first job was that of a factory worker, you can say that they started as a factory worker.
Betty started as a shipping clerk at the clothes factory. [VERB + as]
Grace Robertson started as a photographer with Picture Post in 1947. [Vas n]
Start off means the same as start.
Mr. Dambar had started off as an assistant to Mrs. Spear's husband. [VERBPARTICLE + as]
5. verb
When someone starts something such as a new business, they create it or cause it to begin.
He has started a health centre and is looking for staff. [VERB noun]
Now is probably as good a time as any to start a business. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: establish, begin, found, father More Synonyms of start
Start up means the same as start.
The cost of starting up a day care center for children ranges from $150,000 to $300,000. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
He said what a good idea it would be to start a community magazine up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
6. See also start-up
7. verb
If you start an engine, car, or machine, or if it starts, it begins to work.
He started the car, which hummed smoothly. [VERB noun]
We were just passing one of the parking bays when a car's engine started. [VERB]
Synonyms: start up, activate, get something going, fire up More Synonyms of start
Start up means the same as start.
He waited until they went inside the building before starting up the car and drivingoff. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
Put the key in the ignition and turn it to start the car up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
The engine of the seaplane started up. [VERBPARTICLE]
8. verb
If you start, your body suddenly moves slightly as a result of surprise or fear.
She put the bottle on the table, banging it down hard. He started at the sound. [VERB]
Rachel started forward on the sofa.–'You mean you've arrested Pete?' [VERB adverb]
Start is also a noun.
Sylvia woke with a start.
He gave a start of surprise and astonishment.
9. See also head start, false start
10.
See for a start/to start with
11.
See get off to a good/bad start
12.
See to start with
13. in fits and starts
14. to get off to a flying start
Phrasal verbs:
See start off
See start on
See start out
See start over
See start up
More Synonyms of start
start in British English
(stɑːt)
verb
1.
to begin or cause to begin (something or to do something); come or cause to come into being, operation, etc
he started a quarrel
they started to work
2. (whenintr, sometimes foll by on)
to make or cause to make a beginning of (a process, series of actions, etc)
they started on the project
3. (sometimes foll by up)
to set or be set in motion
he started up the machine
4. (intransitive)
to make a sudden involuntary movement of one's body, from or as if from fright; jump
5. (intr; sometimes foll by up, away, etc)
to spring or jump suddenly from a position or place
6.
to establish or be established; set up
to start a business
7. (transitive)
to support (someone) in the first part of a venture, career, etc
8.
to work or cause to work loose
9.
to enter or be entered in a race
10. (intransitive)
to flow violently from a source
wine started from a hole in the cask
11. (transitive)
to rouse (game) from a hiding place, lair, etc
12. (intransitive)
(esp of eyes) to bulge; pop
13. an archaic word for startle
14. (intransitive) British informal
to commence quarrelling or causing a disturbance
15. to start with
noun
16.
the first or first part of a series of actions or operations, a journey, etc
17.
the place or time of starting, as of a race or performance
18.
a signal to proceed, as in a race
19.
a lead or advantage, either in time or distance and usually of specified extent, in a competitive activity
she had an hour's start on me
20.
a slight involuntary movement of the body, as through fright, surprise, etc
she gave a start as I entered
21.
an opportunity to enter a career, undertake a project, etc
22. informal
a surprising incident
23.
a part that has come loose or been disengaged
24. by fits and starts
25. for a start
Word origin
Old English styrtan; related to Old Norse sterta to crease, Old High German sturzen to rush
START in British English
(stɑːt)
noun acronym for
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty: a series of agreements between the US and the USSR (and then Russia) to reduce nuclear weapons
START in American English
(stɑrt)
US
Strategic Arms Reduction Talks
start in American English
(stɑrt)
verb intransitive
1.
to make a sudden, involuntary or unexpected movement, as when surprised; jump, leap, jerk, etc. in a startled way
2.
to be displaced; become loose, warped, etc.
3.
to stick out or seem to stick out
eyes starting in fear
4.
a.
to begin to do something or go somewhere; go into action or motion
b.
to make or have a beginning; commence
5.
to be among the beginning entrants, as in a race; be a starter
6.
to spring into being, activity, view, or the like
verb transitive
7.
to cause to jump or move suddenly; rouse or flush (game)
8.
to displace, loosen, warp, etc.
9.
a.
to enter upon; begin to perform, play, do, etc.
b.
to cause or enable to begin; set into motion, action, or operation
10.
to introduce (a subject, topic, or discussion)
11.
to open and make the contents flow from (a receptacle); tap
12.
a.
to give the starting signal for (a race) or to (the contestants in a race)
b.
to cause to be an entrant in a race, etc.
c.
to put (a player) into a game at the beginning
d.
to play in (a game) at the beginning
said of a player
13. Chiefly Dialectal
to cause to start, or move involuntarily; startle
noun
14.
a sudden, brief shock or fright; startled reaction
15.
a sudden, startled movement; jump, leap, jerk, etc.
16. [pl.]
sudden, usually brief bursts of activity
, usually in the phrase by fits and starts
17.
a.
a part that is loosened, warped, etc.
b.
a break or gap resulting from this
18.
a starting, or beginning; a getting into action or motion; commencement; specif., the fact of being part of the team that starts a game
a pitcher with 30 starts for the season
19.
a.
a place where, or a time when, a beginning is made, as in a race; starting point
ahead from the start
b.
a lead or other advantage, as at the beginning of a race or contest
c.
a signal to begin, as in a race
20.
an opportunity of beginning or entering upon a career, etc.
21. Archaic
an outburst or fit, as of emotion, or a sally, as of wit
SIMILAR WORDS: beˈgin
Idioms:
start a hare
start in
start out
start something
start up
Word origin
ME sterten < OE styrtan & ON sterta, akin to Ger stürzen, to overthrow < IE *sterd- < base *(s)ter-, stiff, walk stiffly > stare, starve, stork
More idioms containing
start
start a hare
start off on the right foot
start from scratch
start with a clean sheet
In other languages
start
British English: start /stɑːt/ NOUN
If you make a start on doing something, you begin to do it.
After several starts, she read the report properly.
American English: start
Arabic: بَدْء
Brazilian Portuguese: começo
Chinese: 开始
Croatian: početak
Czech: začátek
Danish: start
Dutch: start
European Spanish: comienzo
Finnish: alku
French: départ
German: Beginn
Greek: εκκίνηση
Italian: inizio
Japanese: 開始
Korean: 시작
Norwegian: start
Polish: początek
European Portuguese: começo
Romanian: început
Russian: начало
Latin American Spanish: comienzo
Swedish: start
Thai: การเริ่ม
Turkish: başlangıç iş, yarış vb
Ukrainian: старт
Vietnamese: phần đầu
British English: start /stɑːt/ VERB
to do something If you start to do something, you begin to do it.
She started to read her book.
American English: start
Arabic: يَبْدَأُ
Brazilian Portuguese: começar
Chinese: 开始
Croatian: početi
Czech: začít
Danish: starte
Dutch: starten
European Spanish: comenzar
Finnish: aloittaa
French: commencer
German: anfangen mit
Greek: αρχίζω
Italian: iniziare
Japanese: 始める
Korean: ...을 시작하다
Norwegian: starte
Polish: zacząć
European Portuguese: começar
Romanian: a începe
Russian: начинать
Latin American Spanish: comenzar
Swedish: börja
Thai: เริ่ม เริ่มทำ เริ่มต้น
Turkish: başlamak
Ukrainian: починати
Vietnamese: bắt đầu
British English: start /stɑːt/ VERB
activity, event When something starts, it begins.
When does the film start?
We started an Internet advertising company.
American English: start
Arabic: يَبْدَأُ
Brazilian Portuguese: começar
Chinese: 开始
Croatian: počinjati
Czech: začít
Danish: starte
Dutch: starten
European Spanish: empezar
Finnish: alkaa
French: commencer
German: beginnen
Greek: ξεκινώ
Italian: incominciare
Japanese: 始まる
Korean: 시작되다
Norwegian: starte
Polish: zacząć
European Portuguese: começar
Romanian: a începe
Russian: начинаться
Latin American Spanish: originarse
Swedish: börja
Thai: เริ่ม ลงมือ ทำให้เกิด
Turkish: başlatmak
Ukrainian: починатися
Vietnamese: bắt đầu
All related terms of 'start'
new start
an employee who has just joined a company or organization
start in
to undertake (something or doing something); commence or begin
start off
If you start off by doing something, you do it as the first part of an activity.
start on
If you start on something that needs to be done , you start dealing with it.
start out
If someone or something starts out as a particular thing, they are that thing at the beginning although they change later .
start up
The start-up costs of something such as a new business or new product are the costs of starting to run or produce it.
tow-start
the act of making the engine of a vehicle begin to work by towing that vehicle with another vehicle
bump start
a method of starting a motor vehicle by engaging a low gear with the clutch depressed and pushing it or allowing it to run down a hill until sufficient momentum has been acquired to turn the engine by releasing the clutch
cold start
the reloading of a program or operating system
false start
A false start is an attempt to start something, such as a speech , project , or plan , which fails because you were not properly prepared or ready to begin.
head start
If you have a head start on other people, you have an advantage over them in something such as a competition or race .
hill start
the act of starting a car or other vehicle on an incline
jump start
To jump-start a vehicle which has a flat battery means to make the engine start by getting power from the battery of another vehicle, using special cables called jump leads.
kick-start
To kick-start a process that has stopped working or progressing is to take a course of action that will quickly start it going again.
push-start
to start (a motor vehicle) by pushing it while it is in gear , thus turning the engine
start over
If you start over or start something over , you begin something again from the beginning .
stop-start
frequently stopping then starting again
flying start
(in sprinting ) a start by a competitor anticipating the starting signal
housing start
an instance of beginning the construction of a dwelling
for a start
in the first place
standing start
the start of a race where participants begin from a standing or upright position
start a hare
to introduce a new idea or topic which other people become interested in
start something
to cause a disturbance or trouble
start-up costs
the costs of setting up a business or other project
start-up money
money that is spent on setting up a new business or other project
stop-and-start
frequently stopping then starting again
to start with
To start with means at the very first stage of an event or process.
low-start mortgage
a mortgage in which interest only is repaid for a fixed period at the outset , to make it more affordable
start from scratch
to create something completely new, rather than adding to something that already exists
start-up capital
capital used to set up a new business
start-up company
a company which has recently been set up
for a start/to start with
You use for a start or to start with to introduce the first of a number of things or reasons that you want to mention or could mention.
start the ball rolling
to open or initiate (an action, discussion , movement, etc)
start life to begin life
If something starts life or begins life as a particular thing, it is that thing when it first starts to exist .
start with a clean sheet
to be allowed to forget previous debts or mistakes , and so be given a new chance to succeed at something
get off to a good/bad start
If you get off to a good start , you are successful in the early stages of doing something. If you get off to a bad start , you are not successful in the early stages of doing something.
start off on the right foot
to immediately have success when you begin to do something
to get off to a flying start
If someone or something gets off to a flying start , or makes a flying start , they start very well , for example in a race or a new job .
get the ball rolling/set the ball rolling to start the ball rolling
If you get the ball rolling , set the ball rolling , or start the ball rolling , you start something happening .
get in on the ground floor
to get involved from the very beginning with something, especially something that is likely to be profitable for you
Chinese translation of 'start'
start
(stɑːt)
n(c)
开(開)始 (kāishǐ) (个(個), gè)
⇒ the start of the project项目的开始 (xiàngmù de kāishǐ)
⇒ the start of the year年初 (niánchū)
(= departure) 开(開)端 (kāiduān)
⇒ We need a fresh start.我们要有个新的开端。 (Wǒmen yào yǒu gè xīn de kāiduān.)
(= sudden movement) 惊(驚)跳 (jīngtiào)
⇒ He awoke with a start.他猛然惊醒。 (Tā měngrán jīngxǐng.)
(= lead) 先行 (xiānxíng)
⇒ You must give me fifty metres start.你一定要让我先行50米。 (Nǐ yīdìng yào ràng wǒ xiānxíng wǔshí mǐ.)
vt
(= begin) 开(開)始 (kāishǐ)
⇒ My father started work when he was ten.我父亲10岁时开始工作。 (Wǒ fùqīn shí suì shí kāishǐ gōngzuò.)
(= cause)[fire, panic]使产(產)生 (shǐ chǎnshēng)
⇒ I started a fire.我生了火。 (Wǒ shēngle huǒ.)
(= found)[business]创(創)建 (chuàngjiàn)
⇒ He raised the money to start a restaurant.他筹资创建了一家餐馆。 (Tā chóuzī chuàngjiànle yī jiā cānguǎn.)
[engine, car]启(啟)动(動) (qǐdòng)
vi
(= begin) 开(開)始 (kāishǐ)
⇒ The meeting starts at 7.会议7点开始。 (Huìyì qī diǎn kāishǐ.)
(with fright) 惊(驚)起 (jīngqǐ)
⇒ It caused her to start back in terror.她被吓得往后跳了一下。 (Tā bèi xià de wǎng hòu tiàole yīxià.)
[engine, car]启(啟)动(動) (qǐdòng)
⇒ The car wouldn't start.那辆车启动不了。 (Nà liàng chē qǐdòng bùliǎo.)
to start as sth从(從)做某事发(發)迹(跡) (cóng zuò mǒushì fājì)
⇒ Mr. Dunbar started as an assistant.邓伯先生从当助理起家。 (Dèngbó xiānsheng cóng dāng zhùlǐ qǐjiā.)
at the start (= at first) 一开(開)始 (yī kāishǐ)
for a start (= firstly) 首先 (shǒuxiān)
from the start从(從)一开(開)始 (cóng yī kāishǐ)
to get off to a good/bad start开(開)头(頭)顺(順)利/开(開)头(頭)不顺(順)利 (kāitóu shùnlì/kāitóu bù shùnlì)
to make an early start一早出发(發) (yī zǎo chūfā)
from start to finish从(從)头(頭)至尾 (cóng tóu zhì wěi)
to start doing or to do sth开(開)始做某事 (kāishǐ zuò mǒushì)
to start (off) with (= initially) 开(開)始时(時) (kāishǐ shí)
All related terms of 'start'
start on
开(開)始 kāishǐ
start up
( business ) 创(創)办(辦) chuàngbàn
start off
( begin ) 开(開)始从(從)事 kāishǐ cóngshì ⇒ He started off as an assistant. → 他从助理做起。 Tā cóng zhùlǐ zuò qǐ.
start out
( begin ) 开(開)始 kāishǐ ⇒ It started out as fun, but it became hard work. → 开始很好玩，但后来变得很费劲。 Kāishǐ hěn hǎo wán, dàn hòulái biàn de hěn fèijìn.
start over
重新开(開)始 chóngxīn kāishǐ
for a start
( firstly ) 首先 shǒuxiān
at the start
( at first ) 一开(開)始 yī kāishǐ
from the start
从(從)一开(開)始 cóng yī kāishǐ
to start as sth
从(從)做某事发(發)迹(跡) cóng zuò mǒushì fājì ⇒ Mr. Dunbar started as an assistant. → 邓伯先生从当助理起家。 Dèngbó xiānsheng cóng dāng zhùlǐ qǐjiā.