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be·gin
 begin
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- pronunciation:
- b
gIn
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
begins, beginning, began, begun |
| definition 1: |
to perform the first step in a process; start.
If you've finished reading the instructions, please begin.Let's begin with the kitchen and clean up the living room later.- synonyms:
- commence, set about, start
- antonyms:
- finish
- similar words:
- embark, enter, get, launch, lead, open
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| definition 2: |
to be set in process; start.
The race will begin at noon.The pain began suddenly.My day began with an early morning phone call from my mother.The play begins with just one actor on the stage.- synonyms:
- commence, set in, start
- antonyms:
- conclude, end, stop
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| definition 3: |
to come into being.
My swim club membership began two years ago.- synonyms:
- commence, originate, start
- antonyms:
- disappear, end, terminate
- similar words:
- rise, set in, take effect
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| related words: |
dawn, launch, originate, pick up, put, resume |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to perform the first step of (something); start.
He begins his work by mixing the paint.The day was warm and the snow began to melt.[verb + infinitive
]
She began studying for the exam only a few hours before it started.[verb + gerund
]
- synonyms:
- commence, kick off, lead, open, set about, start
- antonyms:
- cease, close, complete, conclude, end, finish, stop, terminate
- similar words:
- approach, establish, introduce, launch, mount, pioneer, preface
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| definition 2: |
to serve as the first step of (something)
The school song begins the ceremony. |
| definition 3: |
to cause to come into being.
They began an organization to promote voting rights for women.- synonyms:
- commence, inaugurate, initiate, start, undertake
- antonyms:
- end, terminate
- similar words:
- actuate, conceive, create, establish, found, institute, introduce, launch, originate, pioneer, usher
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| related words: |
bring, preface, undertake |
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