start
gb/stˈɑɹt/ us/stˈɑɹt/
A1
English
~ 1100
elkezd, kezd, beindít, bekapcsol, elindít, kezdet, eleje, alapít, létrehoz, nyit, összerezzen
VERB
A1
1
Usage pattern:
to start [doing something]
I will start writing my report after lunch.
Ebéd után elkezdem írni a beszámolómat.
She started learning Spanish last year.
Tavaly kezdett el spanyolul tanulni.
They started building the bridge in March.
He starts work at 9 a.m. every day.
We should start packing for our trip.
Learner examples
I start my homework after dinner.
Vacsora után kezdem el a házi feladatomat.
She starts school at eight o'clock.
Nyolc órakor kezdődik neki az iskola.
We start to play football at five.
He starts to read a book.
They start to cook dinner.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'start' with 'begin' in formal writing; 'begin' is often preferred in formal contexts.
Meaning
begin an action or activity
Collocations
start work
|start talking
|start running
|start cooking
|start studying
Synonyms
begin (Slightly more formal; otherwise interchangeable in most contexts.)
Antonyms
stop (Means to bring an action or activity to an end.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To begin doing something.
To take the first step in performing an action, activity, or process.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to start [a machine/vehicle]
I can't start the car because the battery is dead.
Nem tudom beindítani az autót, mert lemerült az akkumulátor.
Press this button to start the washing machine.
Nyomd meg ezt a gombot, hogy elindítsd a mosógépet.
She started the engine and drove away.
He started the computer to check his email.
Learner examples
I start my car in the morning.
Reggel beindítom az autómat.
She starts the computer to play games.
Bekapcsolja a számítógépet, hogy játszhasson.
He starts the engine of his bike.
We start the fan when it is hot.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'start' with 'open' for devices; 'open' is for files, programs, or doors, not for engines.
Meaning
make something begin to work
Collocations
start a car
|start the engine
|start the computer
|start the washing machine
Synonyms
activate (More formal or technical, often used for systems or devices.)
Antonyms
shut down (Means to stop a machine or system from operating.)
Themes
technology
|transportation
Definition
To make a machine or vehicle work.
To cause a machine, vehicle, or device to begin functioning.
NOUN
A2
3
The start of the movie was very exciting.
A film eleje nagyon izgalmas volt.
We were late for the start of the meeting.
Elkéstünk a megbeszélés kezdetéről.
From the start, he was honest about his intentions.
They made a fresh start in a new city.
Learner examples
The start of the day is busy.
A nap eleje mozgalmas.
I was happy at the start of the game.
Boldog voltam a játék elején.
We wait for the start of class.
She was tired from the start.
Meaning
the beginning of something
Collocations
at the start
|from the start
|the start of the race
|new start
Synonyms
beginning (Direct synonym; 'start' is slightly more informal.)
Antonyms
end (The final part of something.)
Themes
time
|events
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The first part of something.
The time or place at which something begins.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
to start [a business/project]
They started a new restaurant downtown.
Új éttermet nyitottak a belvárosban.
She started her own company last year.
Tavaly saját céget alapított.
He started a blog about travel.
Learner examples
I want to start a shop.
Szeretnék üzletet nyitni.
They start a new club in school.
Új klubot alapítanak az iskolában.
She starts a small garden.
Meaning
initiate creation or existence
Collocations
start a business
|start a family
|start a project
Synonyms
establish (More formal; often used for institutions or systems.)
Antonyms
end (To bring an activity or existence to a close.)
Themes
business
|projects
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something new begin or exist.
To make something exist, happen, or be established for the first time.
VERB
B2
5
összerezzen
B2
She started when she heard the loud bang.
Összerezzent, amikor meghallotta a hangos durranást.
He started violently as the door slammed shut.
Nagyot összerezzent, amikor az ajtó becsapódott.
I started at the sound of footsteps behind me.
Learner examples
I start when I hear a loud noise.
Összerezzenek, ha hangos zajt hallok.
She starts when someone shouts.
Összerezzen, ha valaki kiabál.
He starts when he sees a big dog.
Meaning
move suddenly from fear/surprise
Collocations
start in surprise
|start violently
Synonyms
flinch ('Flinch' suggests a smaller movement, often from pain or fear.)
Antonyms
remain still (Means not moving despite surprise or fear.)
Themes
emotions
|body
Definition
To move quickly because you are surprised or afraid.
To make a quick, small movement because of surprise or fear.
Grammar
Dictionary form
start
IPA
GB/stˈɑɹt/
US/stˈɑɹt/
Syllables & stress
start (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (start)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: start
- Plural: start, starts
Verb
- Base: start
- 3rd Person Singular: starts
- Present Participle: starting
- Past: started
Word family
Expressions
get off to a good start
1/ɡˈɛt ˈɔf tə ə ɡˈʊd stˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
have a successful beginning
To have a successful beginning of an activity or event.
Examples
- The project got off to a good start thanks to careful planning.
- Our team got off to a good start in the tournament.
jump-start
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp stˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
help something begin quickly/strongly
To help something begin quickly and with energy, especially by giving extra help at the beginning.
Examples
- The government hopes lower taxes will jump-start the economy.
- A good breakfast can jump-start your day.
make a fresh start
1/mˈeɪk ə fɹˈɛʃ stˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
begin again in an improved way
To begin again in a new and better way after problems or mistakes.
Examples
- After moving cities, she made a fresh start.
- He decided to make a fresh start after changing careers.
start over
1/stˈɑɹt ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
begin again from scratch
To begin something again from the beginning.
Examples
- If you make a mistake, just start over.
- We decided to start over after losing all our data.
start up
1/stˈɑɹt ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
begin operating or functioning
To begin working or operating, especially for machines or businesses.
Examples
- The car won't start up in this cold weather.
- They started up a tech company last year.