begin
bih-GIHN
Begin (verb) means to start doing something, or for something to start happening. Example: “It began to rain just as we reached the car park.”
verb
1
To start doing something, or for something to start happening.
"It began to rain just as we reached the car park."
"The meeting will begin at nine sharp."
"She began learning Spanish last year."
How to use begin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo start something, or for something to start.
Easily confused with
begin →
started
Common pairings
begin work
begin to rain
begin a journey
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like begin.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- begins
- Third person singular
- begins
- Past tense
- began, begun
- Archaic forms
- beginnest, beganst, begannest, beginneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The meeting will _____ at nine sharp.
Etymology
From Old English beginnan, built from the prefix be- attached to an old Germanic verb root meaning "to open" or "to start."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “begin” mean?
The word “begin” means to start doing something, or for something to start happening. In plain terms, to start something, or for something to start.
How do you pronounce “begin”?
“Begin” is pronounced bih-GIHN (/bɪˈɡɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “begin” in a sentence?
Here is “begin” used in a sentence: “The meeting will begin at nine sharp.”
What is another word for “begin”?
Words with a similar meaning to “begin” include commence, go, inchoate, initiate, open and issue.
What is the opposite of “begin”?
The opposite of “begin” — its antonyms — is end.
What part of speech is “begin”?
“Begin” is a verb.
Where does the word “begin” come from?
The word “begin” comes from Old English. From Old English beginnan, built from the prefix be- attached to an old Germanic verb root meaning "to open" or "to start.".
Is “begin” a common word?
“Begin” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'begin' and 'start'?
The two are almost always interchangeable, as both mean to set something in motion. 'Begin' sounds slightly more formal and is common in writing, while 'start' is a touch more casual and covers extra senses, like starting an engine or a car. In everyday speech, either one works.
What is the past tense of 'begin'?
The simple past is 'began', as in 'we began the meeting'. The past participle, used with 'have' or 'had', is 'begun', as in 'we have begun'. A common mistake is saying 'we begun', which is incorrect; 'begun' always needs a helping verb alongside it.
What is the opposite of 'begin'?
The main opposites are 'end', 'finish', and 'stop', which mark the conclusion of an activity rather than its outset. 'Complete' and 'conclude' work when something is brought to a proper close. Which one fits depends on whether the action simply stopped or was fully carried through.
Is 'begin' formal or informal?
'Begin' is neutral and works in almost any setting, though it feels slightly more formal than 'start'. You will see it in books, reports, and speeches as often as in conversation. For a more formal alternative still, writers often choose 'commence', which suits official or ceremonial contexts.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include begin:
