begin
begin Lexical Profile
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• verb
To perform or undergo the first part of an action or activity; to start.
"The symphony orchestra will begin its autumn concert series next Friday evening."
To come into existence or have its starting point at a particular time or place; to originate.
"The hiking trail begins at the base of the northern ridge and winds through the pine forest."
To establish, found, or bring an organization, project, or movement into existence.
"Two university researchers began the biotechnology company in a small campus laboratory."
To have any slightest chance or likelihood of doing something (typically used in negative clauses for emphasis).
"Words cannot begin to describe the gratitude we felt after the community helped rebuild our home."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Begin' and 'start' are largely interchangeable in everyday contexts, though 'begin' is slightly more formal and cannot be used in mechanical contexts (e.g., one can 'start a car', not 'begin a car'). As an irregular verb (begin, began, begun), the past participle 'begun' must always be paired with an auxiliary verb such as 'has' or 'had', whereas 'began' is used alone for the simple past.
• Rhymes for begin
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'beginnan', meaning 'to attempt or undertake', formed from the intensifying prefix 'be-' and a West Germanic root '*ginnan' (meaning 'to open or open up').