begin · verb /bɪˈgɪn/
Word family
Nouns: beginner, beginning
Verbs: begin
begin (START TO HAPPEN)
A1 I to start to happen
Dictionary examples:
What time does the concert begin?
The film they want to watch begins at seven.
Learner example:
I think the class began yesterday. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)
begin (START TO DO)
A2 I or T to start to do something
Dictionary examples:
The children began to cry.
Have they begun building the new bridge yet?
Learner example:
We began to talk about music. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
begin with sth
B1 to have something at the start
Dictionary example:
The word "cat" begins with the letter "C."
to begin with
B1 at the start of a situation
Dictionary example:
To begin with, the two girls got on well.
Learner example:
It wasn't stunningly beautiful, but a bed and a bathroom is really all we need[ed] to begin with! (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)
to begin with (GIVE REASON)
B2 used to give the first important reason for something
Dictionary example:
To begin with, we can't afford to move.
Learner example:
To begin with, it doesn't pollute and I think it's time we started thinking about [the] environment. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
