verb

begin

bih-GIHN

verb

To start doing something, or for something to start happening.

"The meeting will begin at nine sharp."

"She began learning Spanish last year."

How to Use Begin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo start something, or for something to start.

Easily confused with

begin → started

Common pairings

begin work begin to rain begin a journey

Word Forms

began past tense, begun past tense, begin plural, began plural, begins plural, begins singular, begin singular, began singular, beginnest singular, beganst singular, begannest singular, beginneth singular

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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

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commence go inchoate initiate open issue get rock and roll originate start

Antonyms

end

Related Words

be open achieve close kill finish beginner lose

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