verb
Very common
began
bih-GAN
Began (verb) means past tense of begin: started to happen, or started to do something. Example: “The rain began just as we left the house.”
verb
1
Past tense of begin: started to happen, or started to do something.
"The rain began just as we left the house."
"She began writing the book during lockdown."
"The concert began with a quiet song from the choir."
2
Past tense of begin in the sense of coming into existence or having its origin.
"The company began as a market stall in Leeds."
"The river began as a tiny spring high in the hills."
"Their friendship began in a school playground many years ago."
How to use began
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past form of begin.
When to use it
Neutral, and slightly more formal than started in most contexts.
Memory tip
Begin, began, begun. Use began on its own and begun only after have, has, had or a form of be.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
began to realise
it all began
began life as
began work on
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The rain _____ just as we left the house.
Etymology
Past tense of begin, from Old English beginnan 'to attempt, undertake'.
Synonyms
View more →
started
commenced
set out
embarked on
originated
started out
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for began
See all rhymes for began →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between began and begun?
Began is the simple past and stands alone: 'The film began at eight.' Begun is the past participle and needs a helper verb: 'The film has begun.' If there is no have, has, had or was, you want began.
Is it 'had began' or 'had begun'?
Had begun. Any form of have takes the past participle, which is begun. 'Had began' is a common error but is never correct.
What is the meaning of began?
"began" (verb) means past tense of begin: started to happen, or started to do something.
What is another word for began?
Other words for "began" include started, commenced, set out, embarked on, originated, started out.
