verb
starts; started; starting
to do the first part of something :to begin doing something [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to begin to work on, produce, or give attention to (something)
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to begin
[+ obj] :to begin to have a feeling, thought, etc. - usually followed by to + verb
to begin working at a new job or going to school [+ obj]
to begin to happen, to exist, to be done, etc. [no obj]
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to exist or happen
[no obj] :to begin to function or operate
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to begin to function or operate
[+ obj] :to begin the use of (something)
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj]
to have a particular beginning :to begin at a specified place or in a specified way
to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the beginning - often + as
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] :to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
[no obj] - used to indicate the beginning of a range, series, etc.; often + at
to participate in a game or contest at its beginning [no obj]
[+ obj] :to put (someone or something) into a game or contest at its beginning
[+ obj] to cause (someone) to begin doing something
to cause (someone) to begin talking about a particular subject
[no obj] :to move suddenly and quickly because you are surprised or frightened
[no obj] informal :to begin complaining, arguing, etc.
get started
to begin doing or working on something
start in
[phrasal verb] chiefly US informal
to start doing a particular activity or action
start in on (someone) :to criticize (someone) about something
start off
[phrasal verb]
start off or start (something) off or start off (something) :to start or cause (something) to start in a specified way
to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
to begin an important period in your life or career
to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
start (someone) off or start off (someone) :to cause (someone) to begin doing a particular activity or action
start on
[phrasal verb]
start on (something) :to begin doing (something)
start (someone) on (something) :to cause (someone) to start doing or using (something)
start on at (someone) chiefly Brit informal :to criticize (someone) about something
start out
[phrasal verb]
to begin in a specified way
to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
to begin an important period in your life or career
to begin to travel
to have a particular place as a beginning point
start over
[phrasal verb] chiefly US
start over or start (something) over :to begin doing something again
to begin to happen again
start something
also start anything
informal :to do something that causes trouble
start the ball rolling
start up
[phrasal verb]
to begin to happen or exist
start up or start (something) up or start up (something) :to begin to function or to make (something) begin to function
to start with
used to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements
at the beginning :before the current time or situation
noun
plural starts
[count] :the time at which something begins - usually singular
[count] :the first part of an activity, development, event, etc. - usually singular
[count] :the first opportunity to begin a career - usually singular
[count] :the act of starting something
usually singular
[singular] :a brief, sudden action or movement
the start :the place where a race begins
[count] sports
a game in which someone (such as a baseball pitcher) is playing at the beginning
a race in which a person, horse, etc., participates as a competitor
[count] :head start
by/in fits and starts
for a start
used to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements