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start · verb I or T /stɑrt/Full view
Nouns: start, starter
Verbs: start, restart
start (BEGIN)
A1 to begin doing something
Dictionary examples:

When do you start your English course/your new job?

We'll be starting (the class) at six o'clock.

Can you start on Monday?

They started building the house in January.

I'd just started to make my lunch when the phone rang.

The speaker started with a description of her journey to China.

You could start by cleaning the kitchen.

He started his working life as an engineer but later became a teacher.

Learner example:

Dear Ramesh, I start my class at 9:30 am. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Portuguese)

start (MAKE HAPPEN)
B1 to begin to happen or to make something begin to happen
Dictionary examples:

His mother started the craft market at the community center.

Fire Department officials believe the fire was started by arsonists.

Learner example:

After that we started a discussion about social life. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

start (BUSINESS)
B2 If a business or other organization starts, or if someone starts one, it is created and starts to operate.
Dictionary examples:

She started her own software company.

We started up an opera theater company that toured all over the South.

Learner example:

It was the first time in many years he had the opportunity or time to think over his situation and life. He had started his company fifteen years ago and had been successful. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

start (SWITCH ON)
B2 If you start a machine or an engine, you switch it on, and if a machine or engine starts, it begins to work.
Dictionary examples:

The car wouldn't start.

Do you know how to start the lawn mower?

Learner example:

The car would not start and it was impossible to get a taxi because it was Saturday evening, so the only thing we could do was to run all the way to the school. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

to start with
B2 used before saying the first thing in a list of things
Dictionary example:

To start with, we need better computers. Then we need more training.

Learner example:

There is some information I should tell you about. To start with, the T.V. repairman didn't come on Wednesday morning as expected. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

start (sth) off or start off(sth)
B1 to begin by doing something, or to make something begin by doing something
Dictionary examples:

She started off the meeting with the monthly sales report.

I'd like to start off by thanking you all for coming today.

Learner example:

We started off the trip by driving to the foot of the mountain, where there was a village. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

start out
C1 to begin your life, or the part of your life when you work, in a particular way
Dictionary example:

My dad started out as a sales assistant in a department store.

Learner example:

She is a beautiful, talented wom[a]n who started out as a small actress in her own country, climbing up to become the fully-recognized celebrity that she is now. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

start · noun /stɑrt/
Nouns: start, starter
Verbs: start, restart
start (BEGINNING)
B1 C usually no plural the beginning of something
Dictionary examples:

We were doubtful from the start.

They announced the start of a new commercial venture.

The weather was good at the start of the week.

The event got off to a bad/slow/shaky start.

Learner example:

My first experience was a good start, I could understand everything that the teacher said and I was also able to communicate with the other students, of course there are still mistakes which I will try to improve. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

start (ADVANTAGE)
C2 C an advantage that you have over someone else when you begin something
Dictionary example:

I'm grateful for the start I had in life.

Learner example:

With a better start in life these children will be less likely to end up on the street again. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

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