commence
gb/kəmˈɛns/ us/kəmˈɛns/
B2
English
~ 26900
kezdődik, megkezd, indít, megindít, fokozatot kap
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
to commence [activity/thing]
The ceremony will commence at 10 a.m. sharp.
Az ünnepség pontosan 10 órakor kezdődik.
Construction on the new bridge is scheduled to commence next month.
Az új híd építése a tervek szerint jövő hónapban kezdődik.
Once everyone is seated, we can commence the meeting.
The course will commence with an introduction to basic concepts.
Talks are expected to commence after the election results are announced.
Learner examples
The movie will commence at seven o'clock.
A film hét órakor kezdődik.
Classes commence on the first Monday of September.
A tanítás szeptember első hétfőjén kezdődik.
We will commence the test when all students are ready.
The program will commence with a short video.
They plan to commence building the house in June.
Common mistake:
Learners often treat 'commence' as normal everyday English and use it in casual conversation where 'start' or 'begin' is more natural (e.g., saying *'Let's commence'* with friends instead of 'Let's start'). Learners also sometimes write *'commence to do'* in very informal texts; while it is grammatically correct, 'start to do' or 'start doing' usually sounds more natural.
Meaning
to begin, to start
Collocations
commence at [time]
|commence on [date]
|commence a meeting
|commence construction
|commence training
|commence the project
Synonyms
begin (Common and neutral; suitable in almost all contexts where 'commence' is used, but less formal.)
|
start (Very common and informal-neutral; often preferred in everyday speech instead of 'commence'.)
Antonyms
finish (Opposite in time; marks the end of something that 'commence' begins.)
|
stop (Opposite action; to cause an activity to end or not continue.)
Themes
business
|education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
To start something, or to begin to happen.
To begin doing something, or to cause something to begin.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
to commence [process/proceedings/action]
The company intends to commence legal proceedings against the supplier for breach of contract.
A cég szerződésszegés miatt jogi eljárást kíván indítani a beszállító ellen.
If payment is not received within 14 days, we will commence recovery action without further notice.
Ha 14 napon belül nem érkezik meg a fizetés, további értesítés nélkül behajtási eljárást indítunk.
The regulator has commenced an investigation into possible market abuse.
She instructed her lawyers to commence divorce proceedings immediately.
The government may commence enforcement action if the terms of the license are not met.
Learner examples
The bank decided to commence legal proceedings against the customer.
A bank úgy döntött, hogy jogi eljárást indít az ügyfél ellen.
Police will commence an investigation into the accident.
A rendőrség vizsgálatot indít a baleset ügyében.
If you do not pay, the company can commence action in court.
They plan to commence disciplinary proceedings next week.
Her lawyer will commence an appeal against the decision.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this formal legal sense in everyday situations where a simple 'start' sounds more natural, for example writing *'commence action against my neighbor'* in a casual email. It is best kept for official or legal writing.
Meaning
to start an official process
Collocations
commence legal proceedings
|commence an investigation
|commence disciplinary action
|commence enforcement action
|commence an appeal
|commence bankruptcy proceedings
Synonyms
initiate (Very similar in legal and official contexts; slightly more common than 'commence' in some technical writing.)
|
institute (Common in legal phrases like 'institute proceedings'; emphasizes setting a process in motion.)
Antonyms
terminate (Used in legal and formal contexts to mean officially end a process or contract.)
|
withdraw (In legal contexts, means to stop or cancel an action that was commenced, such as a claim or application.)
Themes
law
|business
|government
Definition
To officially start a legal or formal action, like a court case or investigation.
To formally begin an official, legal, or administrative process or action.
VERB
C2
ARCHAIC
3
Usage pattern:
to commence [degree/title]
He commenced Bachelor of Arts at Oxford in 1623.
1623-ban Oxfordban baccalaureusi fokozatot kapott.
Several scholars commenced Master of Theology at the ceremony.
Az ünnepségen több tudós is megkapta a teológiai mesterfokozatot.
She commenced Doctor in Civil Law after many years of study.
Learner examples
In old books, you may read that a man 'commenced bachelor' at a university.
Régi könyvekben azt is olvashatod, hogy valaki egy egyetemen baccalaureusi fokozatot kapott.
This use of 'commence' to mean 'receive a degree' is now very rare.
A commence ilyen, vagyis 'fokozatot kap' jelentésű használata ma már nagyon ritka.
Today, we say 'graduate', not 'commence', when a student finishes university.
Meaning
to receive a degree (old use)
Collocations
commence bachelor
|commence master
|commence doctor
|commence B.A.
|commence M.A.
Synonyms
graduate (Modern verb for finishing a course and receiving a degree; 'commence' in this sense is old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
fail (In an academic context, to not meet the requirements to receive a degree.)
Themes
education
|history
Definition
In old English, to receive a degree from a university.
To have a degree formally conferred by a university, especially in older usage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
commence
IPA
GB/kəmˈɛns/
US/kəmˈɛns/
Syllables & stress
com - mence (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mence)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: commence
- 3rd Person Singular: commences
- Present Participle: commencing
- Past: commenced
Word family
Forms
commences
verb
commencing
verb
commenced
verb
Core family
commencement
noun B2
Related words
recommence
verb
Expressions
commence on
2/kəmˈɛns ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
formal
to start on a date
To begin at a stated date or time.
Examples
- The training program will commence on 1 July.
- Her contract is due to commence on the first day of next month.
commence operations
4/kəmˈɛns ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
to begin business activities
To start doing business or start working as an organization.
Examples
- The new plant is expected to commence operations early next year.
- Once we receive the final permits, we can commence operations immediately.
commence proceedings
5/kəmˈɛns pɹoʊsˈidɪŋz/
fixed phrase
technical
to start a legal case
To officially start a case in court or another legal process.
Examples
- If the debt remains unpaid, the company may commence proceedings without further warning.
- They decided not to commence proceedings after reaching a private settlement.
commence with
1/kəmˈɛns wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
formal
to begin by doing something
To start something by first doing or including a particular thing.
Examples
- The lecture will commence with a brief overview of the syllabus.
- We shall commence with introductions before moving to the main agenda.
commence work
3/kəmˈɛns wˈɚk/
fixed phrase
formal
to begin work or a project
To start doing a job, task, or project.
Examples
- Contractors will commence work on the site in May.
- New staff are expected to commence work at the beginning of the month.