What does “start” mean?
- 1
verbto begin doing something
It started to rain.
- 2
verbto make a machine or business begin to work
I couldn’t start the car this morning.
- 3
nounthe beginning of something
We missed the start of the movie.
Start at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb & noun
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /stɑrt/ · START
How to use “start” correctly
Both “start to do” and “start doing” are correct, but use “start” (not “begin”) for machines and engines.
Common phrases with “start”
- start a business
- from the start
- start over
- get started
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
“start” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- begin verbA1to start doing something or to start happening
- fall verbA1to drop down to the ground by accident or from a higher place
- finish verbA1to complete something, or to come to an end
- continue verbA2to keep doing something or keep happening without stopping
- break verbA1to make something separate into pieces or stop working
- bring verbA1to take someone or something with you to a place
- build verbA1to make a building or other structure by putting parts together
- change verbA1to become different, or make someone or something different